News Flash! Politicians Cover Their Rears!

Some legislators are hedging their bets on the health-care debate by co- sponsoring more than one of the three most prominent proposals: the Clinton bill; its chief rival, the Cooper bill (similar to the President's but without universal coverage); and the McDermott bill (nationalized health care).

Rep. Sam Gejdenson (D., Conn.)

Co-sponsor: Clinton, McDermott

Rationalization: "My basic call is that there are a number of approaches to solve this problem."

Rep. David Minge (D., Minn.)

Co-sponsor: Clinton, Cooper

Rationalization: "I wanted to support more than one to show my commitment to ((health-care reform))."

Rep. Patsy Mink (D., Hawaii)

Co-sponsor: Clinton, McDermott

Rationalization: "I want to make sure that we have a bill."

Rep. Martin Olav Sabo (D., Minn.)

Co-sponsor: all three

Rationalization: "I am a strong supporter of universality, and I also have a deep respect for the work Jim Cooper did over the years on health care."

Rep. Mike Synar (D., Okla.)

Co-sponsor: all three

Rationalization: "All three ... are major steps in the right direction. I'm trying to be a conduit between the three different ideas so we can have a good idea that can accomplish the goals that the President set."