Sen. Obama also has been vague about subsidies, requirements on businesses, and the interaction of the public and private plans, said Len Nichols, director of the health policy program at the New America Foundation, a nonpartisan public policy institute.
In any case, Sen. Obama's plan is likely to get a warm reception in Congress next year, Mr. Nichols predicted. The debate over SCHIP has started the conversation about the need for universal coverage and at the same time a majority of Americans are worried about the affordability of health insurance, he said.
Sen. Obama estimates his plan would save the average family $2,500 per year.