Bachmann to present new health care reform strategy

Minnesota Republican Congresswoman Michele Bachmann and the state's GOP legislative leaders are proposing a new strategy for health care reform.

Bachmann will outline the plan Monday at a State Capitol news conference billed as a "Declaration of Health Care Independence." Senate Minority Leader David Senjem and House Minority Leader Kurt Zellers will also participate.

Bachmann has been a regular critic of the Democratic-led health care efforts in Washington. But she said at a rally last week it's now time to move forward.

"We can't just stay in a position of anger...just fighting each other," Bachmann said.

She added that GOP lawmakers need to put ideas on the table and move forward from there.

"But before we do that," Bachmann said, "we have to sit down and establish the rules of the game and debate."

Bachmann has previously proposed new tax breaks for individuals who purchase their own health insurance and a full deduction on the cost of premiums. She also favors an expansion of health savings accounts.

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