The Wall Street Journal on Friday published opinion pieces by the chairs of the Republican National Committee and the Democratic National Committee that address party proposals on health care and other issues as the midterm elections near. Summaries appear below.

• Ken Mehlman: Republicans -- who in recent years have reduced taxes, "streamlined regulations, ... offered choice to Medicare recipients and limited class-action lawsuits -- remain "committed to lower taxes, less regulation and fewer lawsuits" in the future, RNC Chair Mehlman writes. Meanwhile, "Democrats opposed every single one of those reforms -- and they are pledging to stand in our way as we move forward" on a number of proposals, such as legislation that would "allow small businesses to band together" to provide health insurance to their employees, Mehlman writes (Mehlman, Wall Street Journal, 9/22).
  
  
• Howard Dean: "Republican policies of the last five years have damaged our economy and failed Americans" on health care and other issues, DNC Chair Dean writes. According to Dean, "While wages and incomes have slowed," health care costs, as well as the national debt and other costs, have increased. Democrats "will ease the burdens on middle class Americans and reverse Republican cuts in college tuition aid and health care," Dean writes (Dean, Wall Street Journal, 9/22).