HEALTH CARE . . . EVERYTHING IN MODERATION

The bipartisan "Mainstream Coalition" of senators neared completion of a health-care reform compromise designed to replace Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell's offering. Unlike the Mitchell bill, which aims to cover 95 percent of Americans, the group's middle-of-the-road plan would cover fewer people and delay programs such as long-term care. Several Senate Democrats warmed to the idea this afternoon, but GOP opponents, smelling a chance to nudge health care off this year's agenda, vowed to kill it dead.