The talks have produced a rough map that can lead negotiators out of the thicket of House-Senate differences despite the fact that negotiators have reached few solid agreements on key issues.

"The end is nigh! We are making tremendous progress, and the momentum is building," said a confidential memo to congressional aides.

The atmosphere can be attributed to some serious bargaining on issues that once were regarded as sacrosanct.

Conservative GOP negotiators seem willing to soften their approach to bringing free market discipline into Medicare -- a top priority for many House Republicans.

Democrats and moderate Republicans on the Senate side have tentatively signaled a willingness to have richer Medicare recipients pay higher premiums.

A successful conclusion to the talks would mean finally giving more than 40 million Medicare recipients long-promised help in paying for prescription medicines. It would also give private insurers a major role in shaping the government-run program for the first time, in hopes that competition will hold down its massive costs, which are predicted to top $276 billion this year.

But observers and lawmakers caution against getting overconfident. They say the talks could still derail quickly because of the touchy relationship between the House and Senate and the sensitive nature of the issue.

On the Web

Medicare: www.medicare.gov