As I look at the 2009 attempts to bring major health care reform to the United States, I hope that the Democrats’ past failures to overhaul the health care system will be a telling reminder that this time could be different. Will the passing of Ted Kennedy inspire our nation’s legislators to find a meaningful compromise that can advance the holy trinity of health reform—increased coverage, reduced health cost inflation and higher quality—even if it still leaves important health problems unresolved? Put simply, can today’s highly partisan Congress enact a bill that helps America’s citizens achieve access to high quality affordable health care? Or will history continue to repeat itself with the Congress, including the fractious Democrats, unable to pass a bill that moves the health care system in a good, if not perfect, direction?
This time around, the politicians on Capitol Hill will have to go it alone without the older, wiser lion of the Senate, the health care reform idealist who became a health care pragmatist as well. This time around, when the time comes for cutting a deal, many politicians on Capitol Hill will undoubtedly be asking themselves, “What would Ted do?”
Unfortunately, Chris, when all is said and done those on Capitol Hill will not be asking "what would Ted do?" Instead, they will be asking "What have PhARMA and the insurance industry promised to contribute to my re-election if kill this bill?"
And even if they were to vote for health care "reform" this time around, what they will undoubtedly be voting for is a thin gruel of a bill that will somewhat reduce the number of uninsured - which is certainly a social good - and may eliminate the ability of the insurance companies to refuse coverage to those with preexisting conditions - which is also a plus. But we will not see necessary, real reform of our health care delivery non-system until we go to a true single-payer, government run system and break the industries' death grip.
#1 Posted by B. D. Colen, CJR on Thu 3 Sep 2009 at 05:07 PM
I am a returning student at Texas State University this semester. My Media and Society professor was actually Ted Kennedy's Press Secretary in the late 80's. However, to be brutally honest and show my ignorance here, I knew almost nothing of the influence Kennedy had on our country prior to taking this class.
Now, I can at least begin to scratch the surface with the personal stories my Professor proudly affirms to us every week about him. What little I do know, however, has been enough to spark my curiosity in simply learning more about this man.
I figure, if this is the process in which millions of other students become energized to carry the legacy and pass the torch..then maybe this is how the "cradle to grave" world will ultimately be realized?
I truly believe that "inspiration" and a "will" to live a healthy life past 70, can actually change the world. But, what do I know..I'm just a returning student.
#2 Posted by Jesus, CJR on Sat 12 Sep 2009 at 05:04 AM