On the surface, it would seem that Republicans and Democrats are so far apart that agreement on health policy is virtually impossible. Scratch the surface and you will find another reality.

Here are three inescapable facts: (1) the status quo is unacceptable to everyone, (2) since neither party can go it alone, the two parties need each other to change anything, and (3) philosophically there is a lot less distance between the two parties than meets the eye.