Such were the doubts that plagued him, between his dreams and plans.

It was a Washington way out of a choice between rival plans: do both.

Their approach is based on the relationship between plans and stable models.

That provision would set up direct competition between private plans and the traditional Medicare program, beginning in 2010.

Senators spent much of the day discussing the proposed compromise that would split $12 billion between private plans and traditional Medicare.

"The difference between this plan and other plans is that there are dollars behind it," she said.

They particularly worry about demonstration projects in up to six metropolitan areas that would stage a competition between Medicare and private plans.

Meanwhile, Johnson himself appears to have been swinging between despair and plans for a comeback.

This is the biggest difference between funded and unfunded plans.

Why is there such a gap between plans and outcomes?