Huffpo's Robert Borosage: Health Care: Let the Majority Be Heard

[flpoljunkie]

August 18, 2009 11:08 PM

Health Care: Let the Majority Be Heard
by Robert L. Borosage

The editors of the Wall Street Journal say that the public option in health care reform has been "sent to the death panel." Obama "concedes" the public option, reports the Financial Times. Even liberals seem to agree. The public option is "all but gone," writes Bob Herbert of the New York Times. The American Prospect's Mark Schmitt mourns its "likely death."

Nonsense. There is no reason to exaggerate the strength of the small tong of conservative Democrats and claque of obstructionist Republicans standing in the way of reform. Here's the reality:

Offering a public plan as a choice to compete with the private insurance companies has continued strong support in polling. President Obama favors it. The Democratic leadership in both the House and the Senate support it. More importantly, a majority of legislators in the House and a broad majority of Democrats in the Senate will vote for it. Needless to say, the activist base of the party thinks it vital.

The only question is whether a small minority of Democrats in the Senate will dig themselves into such a rabid fever that they would sabotage health care reform itself to stop the public option. Whether their animus derives from ideology or insurance company contributions, it is inconceivable that a handful of Blue Dogs in the House or conservative Dems in the Senate would block the president's key reform to make their point. It would also be suicidal, for if 1994 is any indication, Democrats -- particularly those from more conservative districts -- will pay a harsh price at the polls in 2010 if they fail to pass reform.

more here...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-l-borosage/health-care-let-the-major_b_262666.html

[dtotire]

1. Pass A Bill

Bill Maher said on Rachel Maddow's show that when FDR passed Social Security in 1934, It did not include many types of workers: domestics, Government workers, farm workers. In later years, the bill was improved. In the same way, if we pass a bill without a public option, it can be improved at a later date, by negotiating the rates charged by providers, allowing anyone to buy into Medicare, etc. In the meantime, nearly everyone will have coverage, and the poll ratings for Obama will improve, with more chances for success in other areas.

[flpoljunkie]

2. Negotiating prices and allowing Medicare buy-in later are more than 'improvements.'

It would be very difficult to add them at a later time--as they are not small changes.

[truedelphi]

4. It was a very different world. And in making his initial Social Security plan simpler,

He was not making it more expensive.

If we keep allowing the Insurers and Big Pharma into the program called "Reform" we automatically make this program 22 to 44% more expensive. I am not willing to keep these crooks at the table, feeding off our health care dollars.

If Obama is willing to assauge the baby killers, I can only wonder what kinda deal they have cut him? (Probably the deal that says - "Sir, we will see to it that you have eight years. We guarantee that you will run against Palin in 2012!)

[NecklyTyler]

3. We have the votes, let's pass a bill

The Republicans are irrelevant. By passing a bill this year, we can amend the bill in later years. We have to get something on the books first, and the single payer option will come in the future