The key words in the health care debate have been "accessibility" and affordability," but finding a way to merge those ideals has been a challenge. The Democrats' plan to expand coverage has been criticized for potentially increasing premiums. A new Republican plan, meanwhile, focuses exclusively on driving down costs. Questions remain about what constitutes affordability for consumers and how much help should be given to families. That debate has been dividing analysts and insiders on NationalJournal.com's Health Care Experts Blog.

Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., argues that a health insurance exchange is a must to drive down costs because affordable coverage comes from competition. "The only way to change insurer behavior is to put their entire customer base on the line," Wyden writes. "Force them to compete on the basis of cost, quality and coverage."

Others note that the issue of affordability isn't really up to Congress -- that definition comes from the American people. Ron Pollack, the executive director of FamiliesUSA, says that Americans don't see reduced costs in numbers like $800 billion or $1 trillion: "Instead, the value of health insurance reform for America's families... will be determined by their own 'pocketbook test': Will health reform result in sufficient savings so health coverage and care fit within family budgets." Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation President Drew Altman agrees, saying that legislators concerned about affordability should focus on two numbers: "the subsidies provided to help people pay their premiums, and the scope of the underlying coverage itself and the size of the deductibles and out-of-pocket costs people will have to pay."

John Rother, executive vice president for policy and strategy for AARP, says the House bill doesn't do enough to lower costs for consumers, who he believes shouldn't pay more than 10 percent of their income on health care. The affordability question won't be resolved in this round of reform, Rother says. "We will need to be bolder and more creative if we are to truly achieve affordable health coverage for all."

Follow the debate and vote for your favorite comments on the blog throughout the week.

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