A public healthcare proposal that satisfies both Republicans and Democrats... your take?

I just read an article on (probably) CNN about how Obama’s backing away from the public healthcare option in order to try to win Republican favor. Problem is, in doing so, he’s losing the support of the liberal Democrats who also could stomp the whole proposal out when it comes time to vote on it.

My boyfriend is conservative. I’m on the fence… I always considered myself a Democrat though… so we’ve been having some interesting discussions lately. This has been a hot topic in our political discussions, of course. I thought that if there was a public healthcare option that was not available to those over a certain annual income, or those who have healthcare available through their employers… making it available to those who need it but not changing any existing healthcare plans… it would alleviate the concerns of both parties. Conservatives would still have private healthcare companies, and Liberals would be helping the needy get much needed medical care.

What do you think? How would you feel about a public healthcare option that had income requirements?

Please note that I’m not looking for your overall stance on the bill. I’m looking for views on my idea from both Conservative and Liberal points of view.