March 20, 2010

HEALTH CARE REFORM GAMBIT

Barack Obama used the customary Saturday presidential radio address to assure Democrat liberals that most parts of the massive healthcare bill enacted now would not take effect this year.

“And while it will take a few years to fully implement these reforms, there are numerous protections and benefits that would start to take effect this year.  Small business owners will receive tax credits to purchase health insurance.

“This year, thousands of uninsured Americans with pre-existing conditions will finally be able to purchase coverage.  Insurance companies will no longer be allowed to deny coverage to children with pre-existing conditions.  And they will no longer be allowed to drop your coverage when you get sick.”

WORRIES

Columnist Jordy Yager of The Hill – independent daily newspaper for Congress – writes that Democrats like former chairman of the Democratic National Committee Howard Dean have recently raised worries because it will take several years to begin seeing many of the results of the healthcare measure.

“It will leave them vulnerable to Republican attacks -- with no concrete evidence to aid in their defense this November.

“The plan as it comes from the Senate” – says Dean – “hangs out every Democrat who’s running for office, including the President in 2012 -- because it makes him defend a plan that isn’t yet in effect essentially.”

OBAMA CALLS

Yager continues:

“In his weekend address, Obama echoed his call for Congress to schedule a final vote on the healthcare measure and its ‘fixes’ – saying that Congress “owes the American people a final vote on healthcare reform.

“Yet, once again, Obama refrained from using the word ‘reconciliation’ to describe the process he is requesting.”

“Obama also lambasted insurance companies on Saturday, saying that after meeting with several top executives from large insurance firms earlier in the week, he remained all the more committed to the notion that changes in the health insurance system could not wait.

“The administration’s renewed push comes almost one year after changing the healthcare system was raised in Congress and the White House -- and a little over one week since Obama hosted a 7-hour bipartisan summit meeting with a score of lawmakers to discuss the measure.”

START OVER

“Now -- despite all the progress and improvements we’ve made,” said Obama on Saturday, “Republicans in Congress insist that the only acceptable course on healthcare is to start over!

“But you know what?  The insurance companies aren’t starting over.  I just met with some of them on Thursday, and they couldn’t give me a straight answer as to why they keep arbitrarily and massively raising premiums.

“If we do not act, they will continue to do this! They will continue to drop people’s coverage when they need it. They will continue to refuse coverage based on pre-existing conditions.

“These practices will continue.  That’s why we must act now.  That’s why the United States Congress owes the American people an up-or-down vote on health insurance reform.”

60TH VOTE LOST

With the special election of Sen.  Scott Brown (R-Mass.)  last month – replacing deceased Democrat Sen.  Ted Kennedy -- Democrats lost the 60th vote they need to overcome Republican filibusters in the Senate.  It is significant the Massachusetts voters chose a moderate Republican to replace ultra-liberal Ted Kennedy.

Since then, Democrats have begun aligning behind a plan under which the House would take up the Senate-passed healthcare reform bill.  Both chambers would vote on a package of “fixes” to that measure – using the budget reconciliation rules which allow legislation to pass the Senate on a simple majority vote.

Republicans have warned that Democrats will lose control of Congress if they push healthcare reform through with the use of reconciliation rules -- because voters won’t approve.

SHENANIGANS

Students of law pay close attention.  The shenanigans of American politics will be fascinating this year.

Diplomacy is the art  of  saying "Nice doggie" until you can find a rock.
--- Will Rogers

There is no rest for the wicked, and damn little for the rightous.

Money won't buy happiness, but it makes misery bearable.

I've been poor, and I've been rich. Rich is better.

The trouble with life is there's no background music.

By Lindsey Wilger Williams, retired newspaper publisher and syndicated columnist