Healthy Reform

Right now, somewhere in the power centers of our government, a last-ditch effort is being planned and executed to bring some relief to the millions of Americans who are uninsured or underinsured for heath care. This push will be as partisan as it gets, with the Democrats pushing for passage and the Republicans blocking.

Of course, the President is making an effort at inclusion: in the absence of bipartisan cooperation, he has attempted to add a few things to the reform package that Republicans have stated they want, things like controls on inefficiencies and waste. But of course those things will not have been worked out in conjunction with the GOP members who wanted them, so they will not satisfy.

During the health reform 'summit' held a few weeks ago, the Republicans said they wanted the current bill thrown out, and a fresh start made. An unrealistic request at this stage. A restart might have flown if requested in, say, June 2009, but not now. Another conservative wished the bill was trying for a 'field goal', rather than a 'touchdown' rammed down America's reluctant, collective throats. Now there's another concept that might have interested moderate Democrats at the start, but wouldn't now.

Looking with hindsight, it might have been best for Mr. Obama to have tried for just 3 points. After all, adjusting a few things here and there to make small improvements is what 'reform' is all about. Changing the game to include a 'public option' could be seen instead as 'revolution'.

Indeed, some people believed the health care status quo was so broken and so unjust that the game could only be won by a revolutionary change - a touchdown. For others, that's too much change, too quickly. If you are content with where you are, major change is not wanted, at least not quickly and all at once, even if you believe some change needs to be made.

The President and democratic leaders have backed off the public option - but it's too late to win over moderate Republicans, if any still exist on this issue. What's left is a power play to get whatever they can into law before midterm elections.

This isn't 'healthy reform', but it's all we have.