The leading presidential candidates' proposals on health care reform are more detailed - and perhaps more realistic - than those of past elections.

That could bode well for the chances of significant reform in the next four years.

"Both sides of the aisle give me hope that we are going to have an adult conversation," said Len Nichols, a health care economist at the New America Foundation, a research group that focuses on bipartisan approaches to public policy issues.

In the Democratic presidential primary, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York and Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois have vowed to make reform a priority, with the stated goal of providing coverage for everyone.

For his part, Sen. John McCain of Arizona, the Republican front-runner, has put forth a detailed proposal that could make health insurance more affordable for a large number of the uninsured.

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee also has outlined how he would reform the health care system - though in far less detail than the other candidates.

All but the most partisan economists would acknowledge that there are good ideas on both sides. "Every single candidate for president, both sides of the aisle, has talked about how to make health insurance more affordable and accessible for all Americans," Nichols said. "There is a common recognition that we have to do something." ...

Huckabee and McCain would allow people to deduct the cost from their taxes, giving them the same tax break now available to people who get insurance from their employer. ...

The two candidates also support subsidies, in the form of tax credits, to help people with low incomes buy health insurance. Huckabee hasn't provided specifics on the size of the subsidies. McCain backs tax credits worth $2,500 for an individual and $5,000 for a family.

"It's the most serious proposal on the Republican side in a presidential election in quite some time, clearly as far back as I go," Nichols said.