A Way Forward on Real Health Care Reform

[pscot]

It would be a huge mistake to go into a defensive crouch as a result of the Massachusetts debacle.
We need a strong legislative offensive to show voters who's in charge. The congress likes big, complicated legislation because it gives them a chance to load up on earmarks and special interest handouts that generate campaign contributions. Every body gets a taste. There's another way. Í offer an immodest proposal:

A way forward on health care reform

1] Abandon the omnibus bill
2] Create a bill that would end pre-existng exclusions
3] Create a bill that would eliminate caps on benefits
4] Create a bill that would end anti-trust exemptions for insurers
5] Create a bill that would close the donut hole for seniors
6] Reintroduce the Dorgan amendment as a stand-alone bill
7] Reintroduce the Sanders amendment as a stand-alone bill
8] Package all the demonstration projects as a stand-alone bill
9] Create a bill to lower the medicare age to 55

These, and other provisions like them, Could be crafted in the Whitehouse and sent up to the Congress individually. Each of these, taken alone, serves a clear, easily understood public purpose. Each of these, taken alone, can be spelled out in relatively simple terms that would make them harder for the special interests and their congressional enablers to game. The Republicons have been protesting that they want reform, just not a "government takeover" they say the omnibus HCR package represents. Give them a chance to prove it. Dare them to stall, deny and filibuster genuine reform that even teabaggers can understand on the merits.

In addition, equally clear, understandable legislative proposals addressing job creation and the TBTF banks should be offered. Come at the Republicons from several directions at once. Make them fight a three or four front defense of the status quo.

[sharesunited]

1. Small, digestable morsels. Easy to grasp. Difficult to oppose.

But I would trade all of them for something even simpler.

Lower the age of Medicare eligibility to zero.

[timeforpeace]

2. Sure, if they will be patient this time do it incrementally. But "people are dying" cries negate

that possibility.

[pscot]

4. People are always dying

Hell, I'm dying. You can split a cement block by tapping on it with a trowel. Hit it it with a sledge hammer and you end up with junk.

[leveymg]

3. KNR. This is close to what I suggested this morning.

Roll Heads, Kick Ass, Split and Pass a Decent HCR Bill or We're Dead Meat in Nov.

Edited on Wed Jan-20-10 07:59 AM by leveymg

Okay. We tried it their way. For six months, we handed the Senate Health Care Reform Bill to the "Gang of Six" conservative centrists in the name of bi-partisanship. Had it not been for the decision to hand it all over to that little centrist bloc last July, we would have had Senate Bill with a Public Option by Reconciliation before the August Recess.

What did we get for playing nice with the Blue Dogs? Six wasted months - no Public Option, no prescription drug re-importation, no anti-trust enforcement against the Health Insurance industry, a mandate on individuals to buy private insurance, and a ban on private insurance pools to cover abortions. Now, add to that, Democrats have lost elections in MA, VA, and NJ. Are you seeing a pattern developing here?

This is what happens when you rig the process to keep conservative, old-guard senior members at the levers of power. We didn't have to do it this way. When the Blue Dogs barked, Harry Reid and White House rolled over. The Bill could have been taken out of the paws of Max Baucus and the Finance Committee, and passed by Reconciliation by as few as 50 Democratic votes plus the Vice President. But, there was a failure of political will.

The result was a Joe Lieberman, Ben Nelson, Kent Conrad, Mary Landrieu, Blanche Lincoln Blue Dog Health Care Bill. All the progressive "good stuff" was stripped out. No wonder insurance industry stocks began skyrocketing. Wall Street is lovin' it. The Tea Baggers are lovin' it - the Democratic Right-wing is doing what they couldn't - destroying the best chance for broad reform in 15 years. Again. But, the rest of America doesn't seem to like what they're seeing, and are punishing the Democratic Party for that. We're going to lose our Majorities and the White House if this continues.

How does the Democratic Party get out of this cesspool we've dug for ourselves?

Start by rolling heads in a very public way. First head on the block is Joe Momentum - strip him of his Homeland Security Committee Chair and caucus privileges. Do it quickly. Threaten to do the same thing to any Democratic Senator who votes against split Health Care Reform (HCR) and Health Insurance Reform (HIR) Bills. Separate out the votes on several key issues so everyone can see exactly where each Senator stands. Put Obama and Biden up front of a new HCR Bill and do the thing quickly.

Those Democrats who go against their Party should be marched to the guillotines.

- Mark

[pscot]

5. I just emailed this to both my Senators

Patty Murray is up for reelection this year, so she may be paying attention after yesterday's debacle. It's sort of like praying; you know it won't do any good, but it makes you feel better just the same.