The Play Has Been Called, But Is Washington Botching The Snap?

Before I launch into my analysis of the health care reform debate, I'd like to introduce myself to you, the talkradionews.com users. I am a native Washingtonian who grew up in nearby Montgomery County, Md., and attended the University of Maryland. Before coming to Talk Radio News Service earlier this summer, I worked for several years as a producer for a news/talk station in Washington. I can safely say that I am somewhat familiar with what goes on in our nation's capital. I enjoy covering politics (and sports as well) and I really enjoy getting a chance every so often to play the role of correspondent. I also enjoy blogging, something I haven't done a whole lot of lately (I'm working on convincing our web guys to start one on this site). Having said all that, this is my initial foray into the world of op-ed writing. So don't worry, if you think this column is terrible, well.....um.....hey, did I mention that Ellen will be back on Monday? All right, now that we've taken a minute to get to know each other, on with the show...

I am one of the millions of fortunate Americans who receive health insurance through their jobs. I understand, however, that for every Geoff Holtzman, there's a man or a woman out there who would like to be covered, but isn't. I also understand that even some folks who ARE employed don't have insurance because it's too expensive for their employer to provide and it's too expensive for them to buy on their own. In fact, I used to be one of these people back when I was working two part-time jobs, before I landed my first real full-time gig. We as a nation have a huge problem on our hands, I get it. This is why, even though I align myself with most conservatives, I feel it is important for Washington to do something about reforming the system. Maybe not today, maybe not even by the end of the week. But, ideally by the end of 2009, so this issue doesn't die in an election year.

I applaud President Obama for taking initiative on this issue. For God's sake, our country has needed health reform since the 60's. However, I think he's been hurting reform efforts more than helping them of late. And as a result, his approval ratings, both on the way he's handled health care reform and as a whole, have slipped recently. In my opinion, Obama started off with the right approach. He told Congress he wanted legislation (albeit by the August recess, but whatever), he laid out a few items he wanted included on the table, and then he basically let Congress go to work. I think most Americans appreciated this approach as opposed to the way the Clintons tried to shove Billarycare down Congress's throat. But, to paraphrase the administration that came before Obama, he hasn't stayed the course.

Lately, he's been touring the country, campaigning for reform like it's 2008 all over again. Mr. President, please, we get it. We get the fact that you really really really want health care legislation passed. We understand what it will do for you, both in 2012 and for your legacy. But you're smothering us. Listen, this thing has a good chance of passing by the end of the year, regardless of whether conservatives rail against it or Blue Dogs take time to address fiscal concerns. You need to stop stumping. Trust me, every time you go out and try to "sell" this plan to the public, they see it as exactly that, a sales pitch! What you ought to do is take your foot off the gas and let your operatives take care of winning hearts and minds in Congress. Rahm Emanuel's closed door meeting with members of the Blue Dog coalition in Nancy Pelosi's office that produced a subsequent compromise should tell you something.

(Deep breath)

Now, are there components of the legislation that bother me? Of course. I am wary of a public option. I don't believe that it will make the health insurance industry more competitive. On paper, it makes sense. But its application will eventually bankrupt the private system, which will in turn do two things. First, it will cause enormous job loss. Secondly, it will create a single payer system. I can't support a plan that does either of these things.

Do I support a co-op? Not necessarily, and for two reasons. First, the state of Massachusetts tried doing this in 2002. At first, it worked to bring more people into the system. However, eventually it led to massive costs and placed a huge financial burden on the state. (On a related side note, the beauty of the Massachusetts health care debacle is that you can blame both Democrats in the state legislature as well as Republican Governor Mitt Romney for being behind it.) Next, Blue Cross, one of the biggest health insurance mega corps in the country began as a co-op. What does that tell you? It tells me that at some point, a non-profit health insurance company is going to want/need to privatize, grow, and make some dough.

The only solution I've heard that makes sense to me so far is for Congress to get serious about tort reform. Why? Because the fewer number of medical lawsuits there are, the less doctors and physicians will charge their patients and/or order unnecessary tests, procedures and prescriptions in an attempt to protect themselves. Now, I am not a legal expert (can you tell?) nor do I pretend to be one, so I'm not going to elaborate on tort reform. But, that's the purpose of op-eds, right? To get you all thinking.......

So, the bottom line is this: First, we need health care reform and we need it relatively soon. Next, President Obama needs to stop selling us on the idea of a public option and how it A) won't negatively impact the private insurance industry and B) won't increase the deficit by billions of dollars. And finally, Congress needs to come to terms that it might be time to start getting tough on lawyers in this country.

Does that make sense?