First let us assume that this is the biggest political issue that has been on the table in the last 30 years and one could also assume that it is important to get it right.
The proposed plans that come out of Congress, some of which should never have started, have have allowed the Right Wing to feast on disinformation of a real bill of reform. The only alternative Obama has if they succeed in squashing a creation of what he wants (that congress probably will not deliver) is to do this in two or three steps if he wants to get it right.
Problem for Obama is he feels that the only time he has to do it is while the Democrats control congress but is not true as his own party is as much of the problem as the Republicans because in Congress, the Company’s (health care in this instance) rule and there is a election coming and everyone wants campaign money from them.
So the first step is to make reforms to the current system this year. Some retro active when other parts are implemented.
Next year (before elections) adopt a framework for the new system of health care.
3rd year, begin adopting the the tax structure needed for the new system. In this way, it will not matter who controls congress they will be bound to find a way to pay for the new system and we will have enough time to get it right the first time and the economy should be in shape enough to pay for it.
Obama should watch the wording of legislation crafted in Congress even if his own party is in control as the ever so slightest wording can leave a large hole in the system that could benefit health care providers,insurance and drug company’s.
Many Presidents have been duped over the years for proper legislation and the only folks that loose is the American Public. He needs to be willing to “call-out” bad wording so the blame for it is known to the public. That should help make Congress think twice but all to often these things are not realized until well after the Bills pass.
In general, I do not think most folks believe the two most important things about current health care.
1 Everyone is paying for those that can not afford heath care, mostly by The Taxpayer and those that have insurance.
2 The current system will go down the tubes for everyone if something is not done in the next 3-6 years.
Yes this is do-able but it is most important to get it right the first time than to just do something even if it is wrong.
People will always fear what they do not know, problem is the only folks defining it for them is those that oppose any changes to it. These folks leading the charge are in the pockets of the above mentions companies who have been raping the current system as they are part of those that pay massive bonuses to those in the upper end of the company’s for pinching a few more million bucks out at taxpayer expence.
Obama needs to do a “Ronald Reagan” style talk with the people and explain what it takes in a bill to get past his desk and take on the wackos criticisms “head on” and direct to the public. The public fear is being manufactured for them. He needs to take it on directly and to the point and in front of America all at once if he is to proceed before this disinformation gets out of control and may be close now.
For one major individual I was listening to on the radio (popular), was stating that we would have long lines waiting to get a MRI ??? Well to me that beats them sitting there doing nothing when no one could afford it as they could be used to properly diagnose problems early thereby saving everyone some money and life. Whats that, your plan covers them now. But for how long, for how much deducible in the future?
If nothing is done the only folks that will be getting good health care will be Congress and those provided by the company’s that have been raping the system.