In short, the prevailing zeitgeist seems to be one of diminishing legitimacy for many of the institutions that dominate our society.
After the storm over health care reform in August, it is clear that the Obama Administration is no longer leading public opinion. In fact, the Administration and the Democratic Congress very clearly misread their mandate. Holman Jenkins recent column in the Wall Street Journal (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB40001424052748704471504574442772173150440.html?mod=wsj_share_facebook) very accurately describes what went wrong.
The question is: how does the Administration get back on track?
Some small, random things:
As Medicaid, Medicare, VA health care, and CHIP are already in place, why are Republicans opposing a type of government program that has already been otherwise implemented in multiple areas? What are they achieving by opposing the public option? They achieve nothing. They are spinning their wheels. Not news, but I'm still mystified by it. Also still waiting for conservatives to produce some viable alternatives. >:-/
I still think it would really help forge bipartisan support to include medical malpractice reform, let alone the cost-reduction benefits.
Also, I see no reason not to split up the bill into more politically managable/palatable chunks to ensure meaningful reform actually occurs.
Last, I'm a fan of progressive consumption tax. They also have 401(k) funds that adjust themselves as one ages and comes closer to retirement age. Can this concept be applied to health care coverage??
Thoughts??
This is really sad. What a vibrant community this was.
If Barack ever wants to get this community really behind him ever again (in 2010 or 2012), he really needs to get a public option through on the healthcare bill. Not a trigger, not any other lame replacement. Yes, the rest of the reforms are important, but the public option is a litmus test.
Anything less will be considered a Republican victory, or at-least they will say it is (and be heard).
If there is to be vigorous Democratic support in 2010 or 2012 there MUST be a public option passed.
My views on this issue are shaped by my experiences, as with most people. Particularly, they have been shaped by working as a lawyer, and before that a law clerk and low-level functionary in the health care industry, beginning in the late 1990s, which was a time of great change.
Here are some things I saw and the conclusions I draw from those things.
1) patient/consumer protections
2) cost reduction
3) public option
4) minimal red tape for small business owners and allowing them to pool
5) addressing egregious malpractice suits in some manner
6) [this may fall under cost reduction] bulk-buying of drugs and medical supplies for all current programs/entities as well as competitive bidding for said provisions
7) this done before it can be turned into a 2010 campaign wedge issue
Seems simple enough to me, but I have a feeling that's asking a lot. That being said, 1, 2, 4, 6, and possibly 5 should ostensibly be things everyone can agree on, but I'm not holding my breath.
What do you want to see in health care reform?
A couple of my friends across the political spectrum sent me these interesting articles on the Co-op idea proposed in the Senate:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rj-esk...
http://www.heritage.org/Research/Hea...
In my opinion, Co-ops are the best approach to:
Health Care reform, certainly any reform involving a single-payor "Public Option," is likely DOA. The interesting question is: "Why?"
Based on the people I have talked to, the overwhelming answer is the fact that people are afraid of loosing their right to choose health plans, providers and treatment options in the event the Public Option were to be enacted.
Many years ago, I had the (somewhat demanding) honor of serving as a Brigade Intelligence Officer in the 1st Cavalry Division when then-MG Wesley K. Clark commanded the Division. One of GEN Clark's maxims stays with me to this day:
"There are two kinds of plans: those that won't work . . . and those that might."
As it is presently constructed, the Senate and House versions of Health Care Reform are "a plan that won't work." Bringing in elements from the French and German health care systems and more room for market forces could create "a plan that might work."
The events I attended were informational displays. I was able to talk to about 50 people from all walks of life.
The following observations may be of interest:
I am planning on taking the Door to Door Neighborhood Health Care Reform Education to Grand Island in July!
On Sunday, July 12, we will meet at Pier Park in Grand Island at 1:30 pm for a brief introduction to the door-to-door-canvass. I will supply you with some information and then let you get on your way to go talk to your neighbors about contacting their elected officials to urge them to support health care reform.
Watch the scheduled events for more cities to come the rest of the month, and for more information to come!
