Orrin Hatch of Utah, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, said cynics shouldnt discount the possibility of bipartisan progress.

In addition to dropping the nation's uninsured number, Commonwealth researchers credit PPACA with leading to the first decline in the number of people who report cost-related access problems and medical-related financial difficulties.

People who are overweight but exercise regularly will likely live longer and healthier lives than those who are at or under their ideal weight but never make it to the gym or lace up a pair of running shoes.

The reason most often cited by sponsors was a desire to have best-in-class underlying funds.