Health Care: A Crisis Mandating Reform

The state of the economy predicts more loss of jobs and home foreclosures. The number of uninsured is close to 50 million and growing. It is estimated that current health care's cost to our economy is sixteen per cent or more. Health care costs are out of control, and reform can't wait.

Big name reform advocates include not only AARP, but - hold onto your hat! - phRma and the AMA as well. According to the July Kaiser Health Tracking Poll, the public still supports health care reform.

Why the legislative delay?

What should be a Red White Blue effort to save our country's health care crisis falls into the political quagmire of Red vs Blue. As though this isn't enough, the Blue presents obstacles from within.

Blue dog Democrats insist the proposed legislation is too expensive.


Representative Walt Minnick states that he is "working for a more balanced bill supported by the majority of my constituents." Would the majority of Rep. Minnick's district 1 constituents be Republican?


Do any of the following requirements for a health care bill that a blue dog can support resound of GOP agenda?

• Fully funded


• Available to all


• No "socialized medicine"


• Reduced cost
  

If all of the above can't be met at this time, do we follow the precedent established by the last administration and ignore it? Or, do we follow Clinton's lead, make an attempt, then drop it when the going gets tough?

Not on President Obama's watch. He says, "I'm the president . . . this has to get done." The majority of Americans agree.