Oregon Public Broadcasting

Sen. Ron Wyden's proposal for health care has picked up a potentially important ally  -- Republican Sen. Gordon Smith. But as April Baer reports, Smith's support is filtered through an election-year lens.

For several months, Wyden's been building steady pressure to get consideration for his Healthy Americans Act. It calls for comprehensive changes of funding for health care, and an end to employer-paid insurance.

Smith had been on the fence. He said he was talking to Wyden privately about certain concerns, but this week he announced he'll fully support the plan, and looks forward to working across the aisle to get it passed.

That's in line with Smith's theme of bi-partisanship in his re-election campaign.

Smith's opponent, State House Speaker Jeff Merkley, has been calling on Smith for several weeks to back the Wyden plan. Here's Merkley spokesman Matt Canter.

Matt Canter:  "This is the right thing to do. It's just unfortunate it takes his re- election -- his floundering re-election --  to get him to do the right thing."

Sen Wyden's office says getting health care passed takes a huge bi-partisan effort, and that Wyden appreciates Senator Smith's support.

Wyden has publicly endorsed Jeff Merkley for Senate.