Snowe: bipartisan U.S. healthcare talks "constructive"

A supporter of the health care reform holds a sign outside a health care town hall meeting with U.S. congressman Kendrick Meeks (R-FL) in Miami, September 3, 2009.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republican Senator Olympia Snowe on Friday said a key group of six Senate Finance Committee members would continue work next week toward achieving bipartisan agreement on legislation to overhaul the U.S. healthcare system.

"Today's discussion was both productive and constructive, as we continue to move forward as a group toward a shared goal of producing an historic, bipartisan agreement on health reform legislation," Snowe said in a statement following a telephone conference among the negotiators. The White House has been reaching out to Snowe, a moderate in her party, for a possible compromise.

"When Congress returns to session next week, we will be working with the same intensity we've brought to bear this year to achieve a consensus bill -- as I believe we must reduce the costs of health care and make coverage more affordable for all Americans," she added.

An earlier statement by Chairman Max Baucus, a Democrat, said the group would meet on Tuesday when Congress returns from a month-long break, to "take stock" of where the talks stand and how to best move forward on legislation.

(Reporting by Donna Smith; Editing by Jackie Frank)