Thread: Health reform: Everyone take a deep breath

Health reform: Everyone take a deep breath

Reforming the U.S. health care system is not something that one person, or one party, could or should attempt alone. Congress should leave town and return with one thing in mind: coming together.

Cal Thomas is a conservative columnist. Bob Beckel is a liberal Democratic strategist. But as longtime friends, they can often find common ground on issues that lawmakers in Washington cannot.

Today: A recess to discuss health care.

Cal: The Senate finally leaves Washington this week, following House members, for the aptly named August "recess" — and not a moment too soon. Congressional Democrats tackled health care reform employing tactics worthy of a child. "It's mine!" "You can't play with us!" "I'm gonna do it anyway!" "No fair!"

(Illustration by Keith Simmons, USA TODAY)


Bob: Meanwhile, the Republicans are stomping their feet and heading home. What's unfortunate is that this isn't child's play. We're talking about 47 million people in need of health care.

Cal: I won't take up my allotted space to dispute that number — which is disputable — but I will say that health care reform doesn't have to happen this way. What's lacking is leadership and a willingness to give a little here and there. And goodness knows the country needs time to get this right. I rise in praise of a Democrat, Rep. Mike Ross of Arkansas, who said the most important concession his fellow moderate-to-conservative Blue Dog Democrats achieved from the liberal wing of his party was time.

Bob: Time, sure. But not to run the clock out.

Cal: What clock? President Obama's August deadline was always artificial and arbitrary. The failure to pass a health care reform bill before Congress' summer break ensures every member will have a chance to read and study the legislative proposals and, most important, hear from constituents. In fact, a few lawmakers have already heard the outrage from the people in town halls around the country.

Bob: The status quo should be what riles folks. Look, Democrats have been trying to achieve universal coverage and health reform since Harry Truman, so another month won't hurt. Republicans have made it clear they will use disinformation over the recess to derail any bill. Unlike the 1990s fight, they will run into millions of reform supporters who will counter the GOP lie machine.

Cal: Oh, come on, Bob. The truth on this legislation is much worse than any fiction. Republicans don't need to make up anything; they simply need to illuminate what is being proposed. Neither you nor I would support some of the scare tactics that, frankly, both sides have used. But you're not afraid of an honest and open debate of the issues, are you?

Bob: The country craves "open and honest." Whether we can get there is another thing.

Cal: You are confusing disinformation with information. Numerous opinion polls indicate growing numbers of Americans are skeptical. A Wall Street Journal-NBC News poll last week found 42% of respondents thought Obama's plan was a bad idea vs. 36% who liked it. Even liberal National Public Radio reported in its poll that 47% opposed this reform and 42% were in favor. The momentum is against the measure in its current form.

Bob: The reform has yet to take its final shape, so how can you oppose something that's not even finished? It's like saying I hate the cake that has 30 minutes left to bake and has yet to be decorated.

Cal: Fair enough, but if you know that cake's being made with lard instead of butter, and sawdust instead of flour, you have a pretty good idea of what it'll taste like.

Bob: OK, so we've established that the country is now gun-shy about health care reform, but you and I — and the American people — know the current system needs help. So as common grounders, how do we get there?

Cal: Let the Republicans in. Obama and congressional Democrats can't reshape one-sixth of the U.S. economy by riding the Democratic donkey to the finish line. They need the elephant, too. They must bring Republicans into the process as the president vowed ad nauseam during his campaign and as Nancy Pelosi promised when Democrats took control of Congress in the 2006 election. At the time, Pelosi said she would be "the speaker of the House, not the speaker of the Democrats." I'm still waiting.

Bob: Then the Republicans must stop playing politics. Republican Sens. James Inhofe and Jim DeMint have said killing this reform is critical to hurting Obama politically. How are Democrats supposed to react to that?

Cal: Last week, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney outlined, on these very pages, how the president could change the conversation. While health care reform in his state is not perfect, it is better than a plan run by government. Romney wrote, "Our citizens purchase private, free-market medical insurance. There is no 'public option.' With more than 1,300 health insurance companies, a federal government insurance company isn't necessary."

Bob: Funny how Romney is now talking about the Massachusetts plan. He didn't exactly embrace it during his run for the Republican nomination in 2008. I know this because I interviewed him about it. Romney brags about no public option, but that is precisely the problem. Private insurance has no competition, and rates in Massachusetts are skyrocketing.

Cal: I am increasingly interested in a doable alternative: a co-op approach that would allow especially low-income people to become part of an insurance pool. For those without the means to afford even this cheap insurance, a tax credit could be given to them.

Bob: My friend Sen. Max Baucus, a Democrat from Montana, is with you on cooperatives. The problem is that they will take a long time to organize before giving real competition to insurance companies.

Cal: To borrow your words, if Democrats have been trying since Truman, what's the rush?

Bob: Touché! Look, I'm willing to give co-ops a shot, but if we don't see cost savings over time, Congress needs to find another option. Whether that's a public option or something else, I don't know, but if co-ops don't work, we can't simply cross our arms and say, "Well, we tried."

Cal: What apparently escapes the politicians — but which I'm sure they'll soon hear from their constituents — is that 84% of all Americans rate their health insurance plan "good" or "excellent." But I grant you that we can't continue as we have because of rising costs.

Bob: Try polling the 47 million without insurance. I'm guessing 100% of them don't like the current system. But I digress. What else can we give Congress to chew on during its recess?

Cal: Here's an idea you should like. We impose high taxes on cigarettes in part to discourage smoking, but also for the stated purpose of paying for some of the health costs associated with the habit. I might support a tax on sugary soft drinks, quarter-pounders with cheese and other high calorie, high in fat products — if the money would be reserved for subsidizing poor people and their insurance needs. And how about a reward for good behavior: a tax credit for those who work out, buy exercise equipment, join gyms, lose weight and eat right? A doctor's note could serve as proof for the IRS!

Bob: Cal Thomas for a tax increase? Be still my heart! It is a solid idea, as are tax credits for the working poor to purchase health plans and credits for getting healthy — especially at a young age. According to a report last week, the country spent $147 billion on weight-related medical bills last year. An obese patient averaged$4,871 in such bills compared with $3,442 for a patient at a healthy weight. There is common ground all over that.

Cal: Talk about addition by subtraction! Targeted taxes can alter behavior, and altering behavior will improve health while lowering health care costs.

Bob: See, Cal, if you and I can solve this much in one column, 535 members of Congress should be able to do that much and more over recess. When the school bell rings for Congress after Labor Day, let's just hope the children will finally play nice.

Posted at 12:16 AM/ET, August 06, 2009 in Common Ground, Forum commentary, Health care/Insurance - Forum

http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2009/08/ ... .html#more

47 million people are with out health Insurance? How many of them are legal American citizens?


The American people want the government to get the H out of OUR private health care.

This was put into the Stimulus bill in the dark of night and we flatly don't want it.

Reform health care: No American tax payer health care for illegals/anchors. We would save a fortune.

47 million Americans are without health care....and maybe some of those are illegals. BUT....many million more Americans are under insured. If they become sick they will be financially ruined. They are under the impression they are insured, but in reality they are not. Unfortunately they dont find this out till they get sick...and the wonderful private insurance companies do whatever they can to keep from paying their claim. Goodbye credit, goodbye house, bye bye savings....goodbye life as you know it.

If the media and the people on the internet could stick with the facts
and leave out the half truths and lies we would all be better off,
not on just this issue but on all issues.

Originally Posted by JohnDoe2

If the media and the people on the internet could stick with the facts
and leave out the half truths and lies we would all be better off,
not on just this issue but on all issues.

One of the best statements ever. People are far too easily manipulated into thinking half-truths are facts. MSM is to blame, including FOX. I just wish we could wipe the slate clean and start this country over. Our forefathers are rolling in their graves right now.