The Los Angeles Times (12/1, Levey) reports, "After decades of failed efforts to reshape the nation's healthcare system, a consensus appears to be emerging in Washington about how to achieve the elusive goal of providing medical insurance to all Americans." According to "leading groups of businesses, hospitals, doctors, labor unions and insurance companies -- as well as senior lawmakers on Capitol Hill and members of the new Obama administration," an "unprecedented government intervention to create a system of universal protection" is the solution. These groups say that "the idea of a federal, single-payer system patterned on those in Europe and Canada...is now virtually off the table," as well as "the traditionally conservative concept...of reforming healthcare mainly by giving incentives for more Americans to buy insurance on their own." In addition, "there...is a widespread understanding that any expansion of coverage must be accompanied by aggressive efforts to bring down costs and reward quality care." In spite of these "areas of basic agreement," however, "the details...remain vague," as Obama "has provided few specifics about his plans once he takes office."