The Time is Now -- Health Care Reform
The American political system is neither pretty nor efficient. Democracy never is -- not even republican forms. The Founders, so distrustful of the people, tried to throw as many checks and balances into the system (as well as limit suffrage to land owners), have made passage of important legislation difficult.
We stand at the edge of an important set of legislation -- legislation that has been bouncing around for more than half a century. It has emerged in various forms and the one that may emerge from these discussions is likely to be less dramatic than the ones that have emerged before. Remember that Richard Nixon proposed expanding Medicare to include all Americans -- and he was a Republican. This legislation will not be as expansive as that proposed under the Clinton's either.
While it would be nice to have a bi-partisan bill, that's not likely to happen. The only moderates left in Congress are conservative Democrats. The Republican Party has become more and more conservative, running out its few remaining moderates (they hail from Maine, I think). I agree with the New York Times editorial -- the Democrats need to abandon getting GOP support -- they're going to get little if any, even if they compromise the bills to death. So, it's time, I think, for the President to sit down with the Blue Dogs, remind them that the GOP won't budge, and then find something they can support, that the rest of the party can support. Then, they need to sell this thing to the American public.
One of the first things that needs to be done is to point out that our system is incredibly inefficient and dysfuncional. Nicholas Kristoff shares the story of a couple forced to divorce so that the husband can get needed care without bankrupting the family. It happens all the time. It's also a reason why there's a growing trend of seniors living together without getting married -- they'll lose their social security/medicare benefits.
When I read these statistics about 86% of Americans being satisfied with their health care options, I wonder who we're talking about. I rarely run into them. And as for those Single Payer plans up there in Canada, the ones that are so horrible. I just returned from Canada, talked with an American working in Canada, heard a very different story. Indeed, he's thinking now of retiring in Canada because the health care system is so much better there than here. He spoke of the importance of comparing apples to apples. What we usually hear is the horror stories and then compare them to the best in America. But, let's compare best to best and worst to worst. If we do that Canada sounds like it comes out ahead.
As for rationing. Come now, we already experience rationing. The insurance companies will decide what they'll pay for. Then you have to decide if you have the money to cover additional treatment or go without. The cost of medicine here is triple that in Canada -- why? I don't know. Of course, taxes are higher in Canada. But I wonder if in the long run our rising medical costs far outstrip any tax differences.
The reality is this. If we're to get meaningful health care reform it'll have to happen this year, because once the campaign season starts next year, no one will do anything that will disrupt their chances of getting re-elected. So, now is the time!!
We stand at the edge of an important set of legislation -- legislation that has been bouncing around for more than half a century. It has emerged in various forms and the one that may emerge from these discussions is likely to be less dramatic than the ones that have emerged before. Remember that Richard Nixon proposed expanding Medicare to include all Americans -- and he was a Republican. This legislation will not be as expansive as that proposed under the Clinton's either.
While it would be nice to have a bi-partisan bill, that's not likely to happen. The only moderates left in Congress are conservative Democrats. The Republican Party has become more and more conservative, running out its few remaining moderates (they hail from Maine, I think). I agree with the New York Times editorial -- the Democrats need to abandon getting GOP support -- they're going to get little if any, even if they compromise the bills to death. So, it's time, I think, for the President to sit down with the Blue Dogs, remind them that the GOP won't budge, and then find something they can support, that the rest of the party can support. Then, they need to sell this thing to the American public.
One of the first things that needs to be done is to point out that our system is incredibly inefficient and dysfuncional. Nicholas Kristoff shares the story of a couple forced to divorce so that the husband can get needed care without bankrupting the family. It happens all the time. It's also a reason why there's a growing trend of seniors living together without getting married -- they'll lose their social security/medicare benefits.
When I read these statistics about 86% of Americans being satisfied with their health care options, I wonder who we're talking about. I rarely run into them. And as for those Single Payer plans up there in Canada, the ones that are so horrible. I just returned from Canada, talked with an American working in Canada, heard a very different story. Indeed, he's thinking now of retiring in Canada because the health care system is so much better there than here. He spoke of the importance of comparing apples to apples. What we usually hear is the horror stories and then compare them to the best in America. But, let's compare best to best and worst to worst. If we do that Canada sounds like it comes out ahead.
As for rationing. Come now, we already experience rationing. The insurance companies will decide what they'll pay for. Then you have to decide if you have the money to cover additional treatment or go without. The cost of medicine here is triple that in Canada -- why? I don't know. Of course, taxes are higher in Canada. But I wonder if in the long run our rising medical costs far outstrip any tax differences.
The reality is this. If we're to get meaningful health care reform it'll have to happen this year, because once the campaign season starts next year, no one will do anything that will disrupt their chances of getting re-elected. So, now is the time!!
Comments
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@PastorGreg
Everyone agrees that the system is inefficient. Yes, health care is already rationed... but the HMOs do prevent fraud in the system that will be RAMPANT with a government control.
This is an incredibly complicated subject that won't win my support with pleas of "we have to do something..." There are often unintended consequences with big changes like this and its important we all know what they might be.
-Chuck
The reason why Medicare is hemorrhaging money is that health costs are rising so fast, the government is unable to negotiate for drug costs, etc. The cost of presecription drugs is 3 times what it is in Canada, which is why many Americans order their drugs through Canadian pharmacies.
If we could control costs, negotiate better deals, then well maybe we can do better with the budget.
The VA may be a good example of complete government health care and it has been a disaster. Remember the falling apart buildings? I just don't know where this all ends up.
Chuck
Remember New Orleans -- the Bush Administration, which disdained the very government organization it ran, put political hacks into important posts -- like Mike Brown -- rather than put knowledgable folks into important positions. Interestingly, Barack Obama has kept some holdovers from the previous administration -- people of substance like Robert Gates.
Is government perfect? No. But, is the alternative to government better? I don't think so.
I'd rather have a government bureaucrat who is answerable to the public making decisions than a corporate bean counter who only cares about the bottom line.
FWIW, I'd rather see a good plan fail - let the Republicans & Blue Dogs explain why they shot down a good plan - than a half-ass plan pass