1.   John McCain, R-Ariz., co-sponsor of the most prominent reform proposal on the congressional docket.

2.   Perhaps with reason, Brown has regarded most legislative reform proposals as a personal attack on him.

3.   The president vetoed two reform proposals late last year.

4.   There was particular criticism of the plan to embark almost immediately on price rises but to delay structural reforms, and of the lack of detail on reform proposals.

5.   The Kaifu government had recently suffered a series of political humiliations, culminating in a major financial scandal and the forced retraction of numerous political reform proposals.

6.   Congress should enact the bold reform proposals that are still awaiting congressional action, bank reform, civil justice reform, tort reform, and my national energy strategy.

7.   Although reform proposals have received little political support, the case for disability discrimination legislation has become increasingly compelling.

8.   An often-discussed reform proposal is to apply a so-called means test to Medicare Part B premiums for upper-income beneficiaries.

9.   Another complicating factor is that the reform proposals to date vary in their reach.

10.   Any reform proposal should allow Medicare beneficiaries to choose the type of health-care plan they prefer.