The Hill News

Lawmakers in both parties could find "common ground" in modifying the healthcare reform law, said a Democrat named to the party's leadership team this week.

Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) said that Democrats could find room for compromise with Republicans in modifying the healthcare law President Obama signed into law last year.

"To modify the legislation that we have, I think you can find a lot of common ground, without a doubt," Cuellar said on ABC's "Top Line" webcast. "But just to repeal and then start all over again â€" if you're talking about creating uncertainty, that will create uncertainty."

Cuellar was named on Tuesday by Pelosi, Democrats' new minority leader, to the position of vice chairman of the party's steering committee, which particular responsibilities for the impending budget battles of the next Congress.

The Texas lawmaker noted that many House Democrats were dissatisfied with the Senate version of healthcar! e reform that ultimately was passed. Cuellar singled out tort reform as one area that he would have liked to have seen added, for instance.