Reports: Passing Universal Healthcare Could Kill The GOP

Barack Obama's selection of Tom Daschle as Health and Human Services Secretary, as well as "health reform czar," signals that the incoming president is serious about passing comprehensive healthcare reform. Over at the think tank Cato, Michael Cannon warns that blocking any such legislation is vital for the GOP's survival (h/t Kos):

Ditto Baucus' health plan. And Kennedy's. And Wyden's.

Why? Norman Markowitz, a contributing editor at PoliticalAffairs.net (motto: "Marxist Thought Online"), makes an interesting point about how making citizens dependent on the government for their medical care can change the fates of political parties:

A "single payer" national health system - known as "socialized medicine" in the rest of the developed world - should be an essential part of the change that the core constituencies which elected Obama desperately need. Britain serves as an important political lesson for strategists. After the Labor Party established the National Health Service after World War II, supposedly conservative workers and low-income people under religious and other influences who tended to support the Conservatives were much more likely to vote for the Labor Party...

James Pethokoukis, at U.S. News and World Report, draws the same conclusion as Cannon does from Markowitz's analysis of how universal healthcare changed the political dynamic in Britain:

The GOP strategist had been joking about the upcoming presidential election and giving his humorous assessments of the candidates. Then he suddenly cut out the schtick and got scary serious. "Let me tell you something, if Democrats take the White House and pass a big-government healthcare plan, that's it. Game over. Government will dominate the economy like it does in Europe. Conservatives will spend the rest of their lives trying to turn things around and they will fail..."

...Recently, I stumbled across this analysis of how nationalized healthcare in Great Britain affected the political environment there. As Norman Markowitz in Political Affairs, a journal of "Marxist thought," puts it: "After the Labor Party established the National Health Service after World War II, supposedly conservative workers and low-income people under religious and other influences who tended to support the Conservatives were much more likely to vote for the Labor Party when health care, social welfare, education and pro-working class policies were enacted by labor-supported governments."

Passing Obamacare would be like performing exactly the opposite function of turning people into investors. Whereas the Investor Class is more conservative than the rest of America, creating the Obamacare Class would pull America to the left. Michael Cannon of the Cato Institute, who first found that wonderful Markowitz quote, puts it succinctly in a recent blog post: "Blocking Obama's health plan is key to the GOP's survival."

Comments

[LightningJoe]

This article is right -- universal healthcare is the bane of the Reich Wing. Once people have a well-conceived health system that works for them, how in the world are the Reich going to come in and get votes by promising to get rid of it?

And how could they do otherwise than try, if they are going to try to stick by their principles? (Woops, got pop up my nose, laughing at the thought of the Reich having "principles")

Another example of a needed change, that can never happen, if the Reich have ANY ability to block it. And another reason to take the opportunity now.

[demigod]

Passing National Health Care doesn't mandate disposing of the current system - they will exist side by side, and we will see which is better. They will compete - isn't that the American way ?

[saami]

Reading the responses about calling your congressman or senator to advocate for universal healthcare, let's remind them that we want the same quality of care that they get!!! We want everyone to have the same healthcare as our federal elected officials. it seems only fair. Healthy people are better workers. Also people with healthcare get help early on and don't have to wait until they have to fling themselves on the mercy of the Emergency Department where they can get their care free. By then they are seriously ill and the cost to get them well is 1,000 times what it would have been if they had healthcare and had seen a doctor right away. We aren't saving money, we are throwing it away. Plus with universal healthcare more of our money goes to actual healthcare not CEO's rapacious salaries.

[bmxking28]

Rhondarn62,

We don't really care what your "friends" think of the healthcare in other countries when we can use a tool called google to look up information for ourselves. This is the information age, a time when anyone can go online and find any information that they want, do you really think that anyone here hasn't seen the healthcare rankings that come out every year. America is NEVER in the top 10 and rarely in the top 25 but you know who is? Come on say it to yourself begrudgingly, whisper it if you have to, Thats right!! Those darn socialist countries. All the American people are asking is that people like you get out of the 60's 70's and 80's when socialism was code for communism, face it, we arent going to become like that so just drop it and come join us in 2008.

Link to just one of many healthcare studies that shows just how pathetic the insurance companies have made us.

http://www.washington.edu/alumni/columns/dec07/content/view/79/1/1/5/

after you check that out come back and feel free to tell us how all 36 countries that have better health care than us could possibly be ranked that high, brings links and facts or dont bother posting.

[flankadank]

Amen!

[gmlaster]

I'm a diabetic. I went to the hospital one night because I fainted. After testing it was discovered that my sugar had dropped dangerously low. I was put on an IV drip for a few hours to raise my sugar and sent home. That three-hour visit which consisted of my doctor's time, a couple of x-rays and three bags of sugar solution cost me $8,556.50.

Frankly, I don't give two craps what we call it. Call it socialized medicine, communized medicine...hell, let's just call it Shirley and then nobody has to be afraid of it. But we no longer have the luxury of arguing over semantics because what we have stopped being a health care system when hospitals started charging $100 for aspirin. Now it's a "pay-us-or-die-you-broke-assed-uninsured-deadbeats" system that is overcharging the American public by at least 10,000% and letting people die who could easily be saved, all because they can't pay.

Used to be that if you had a job, you and your family had great health care AND dental. But ever since we let corporate America off the hook, insurance companies have literally been getting away with murder. Let's stop worrying about what we'll call it and just try universal health care. If it doesn't work, we can always go back to letting the insurance companies kill us. But please let's stop pretending like universal health care will turn us into the next Soviet state.

[flankadank]

Man, posters are on fire today. Well said, and thank you for expressing what I'm thinking.

[ObjectiveRealist]

Healthy people are better workers.

The total cost of *proper* health care for all Americans is much less than our contribution to the economy.

Proof: health insurance industry profits

[ObjectiveRealist]

Healthy people are better workers.

The total cost of proper health care for all Americans is much less than our contribution to the economy.

Proof: HMO profits.

[mona C]

I am an immigrant from Germany, a country with natl. health care. Ever since the subject of natl.
health care for this country came up, the opposition has done nothing but spread lies and miss
information. The familiar scare tactics. I can tell you from personal experience natl. health care
works and it works well. It did not break Germany. In fact its citizens live very well in spite of
"socialism". The emphasis is preventive car. Medical, dental etc. checkups are mandatory.
By the way. education is also nationalized ( through college ) The reason is, Germany believes
that an educated and healthy public is actually good for a nation.
I wonder why the USA has not come to realize this. Perhaps a dummefied public is easier to govern?

[theVoice0fReason]

Because the demagoguery of the republican party has brow beaten our less educated folks, our older folks the past few generations, and continually attempts to poison the minds of the current and future generations, with "anti-anything socially responsible" rhetoric in order to frighten and distract folks from understanding that an educated, healthy, and forward looking activist citizenry is the best way for a country's overall sustainable prominence, which consequently happens to be antithetical to the GOP platform, whose overarching mission seems to be centered around keeping it's members as dumb, glutonous, and over anxious to keep up the party's populace by encouraging a baby making majority of right to lifer's to keep their uninteresting party alive.

[leathersammie]

For anyone who has a chronic illness or pre-existing condition (I have Multiple Sclerosis) it is glaringly obvious that the healcare system in this country is sick. All preventative medicine and methods have been elimated, people can't get good or even passable healthcare here because all of the insurance companies are only concerned with their profit index.

[lynjs]

True. You might also add for some of us the question is 'what insurance company?' We can't afford it when it is half the house note for one person. And they wonder why people are dying of curable conditions.

[rhondarn62]

I am sorry you and your illness with M.S.. I do agree that there needs to be changes in healthcare especially with pt's with pre-existing diseases or illnesses...

[crystalcakes]

For those who believe the current system is sufficient (which is astounding), please tell me how you think those who have pre-existing conditions or are cannot access benefits through any realistic means are going to get coverage? None of the "socialized medicine" critics seem to address that. I want a reasonable answer from them.

[lynjs]

I'd like to see one of those critics of universal healthcare in my shoes. Each time I go to the doctor, I have to give them $100. I'm not working and my mother didn't have it, so my brother has ponied it up the last four times I've went from July to earlier this month. And I still have a $400 balance.

Previously in February, I had to have my gall bladder taken out. I stayed overnight, released at 7:30 a.m. the next morning but the doc wanted me to get two pints of blood. It was noon before I got the blood and 6 p.m. before I left to go home. The bill for that was nearly $17,000. If it weren't for the charity fund at the hospital, it wouldn't have been paid. That was an obscene charge for a 30 hour stay.

I'd like to see some of these rich know it alls broke or their funds suspended and then they get sick. After they have dealt with the system like the rest of us they'd catch a clue. Nothing makes you understand more than walking a mile in one's boots.

I'd have health insurance but who can afford it at $300 a month? Not my family.

[GhostwriterDoF]

rhondarn62, I understand your argument but, many of the medical student loans are never paid and are written off, especially for the students of privileged families and taxpayers pick up the tab. The fact is that no corporate interest in this Free Market mentality can be trusted. Wrongfully denied claims, double billing, over-billing, charging the poor significantly higher costs than premium insurance coverage, the list goes on.
We are deluding ourselves to believe that this is a left, right, Dem, GoP issue. The policies we live under today have nothing to do with health-care, its all about profit. Quite simply, they can make thousands of times more profit by denying people health-care than by providing it.
Dr. Insurance Executive is no different that Mr. Wall Street executive, other than their titles. They"ve even turned on their own, doctors who want to serve the public as primary care physicians, forcing them to spend a majority of their time processing paperwork, while in the meantime they sit behind desks and deny claims of the patients for door prizes and bragging rights. It"s sickening.

[rhondarn62]

I know of physicians who are retiring early because they are unable to make their overhead financially due to Malpractice insurance and changes in healthcare coverage. I have a couple of friends who are still paying on their medical school bills after years. You may undoubtedly be right about some medical students that don't pay their entire debt. I do want to point out though, it will be difficult to find med. students who want to pursue specializing in different areas because of the years it takes if they don't get compensated somehow.
I am not denying that there needs to be changes with our healthcare and coverage but I don't believe Universal healthcare is the answer. I believe it will affect our economy as well as the qualitiy of physicians and healthcare workers that will be available. The blogger Moxo has no idea what he's talking about when it comes to the uninsured that have crossed the borders. I live in California and the hospitals are full of these patients.....This is one of major reasons why healthcare is so expensive. I'm sure its hard for Moxo to believe but I took a class in school in regards to reimbursement for healthcare industries and healthcare workers.

[madmaddox]

Hi rhondarn62,

I don't think people have a problem with doctors making money. They just don't want to pay $100 for a pillow at a hospital, $20 for a Tylenol tablet, and $1000 for a drug that was developed with taxpayer money.

They also don't want to pay tons of money for insurance, to then have claims denied when they get sick.

People don't have a problem paying hard-working honest doctors. Doctors should be the center of the healthcare system. As it stands right now, we've let the Insurance & Drug Companies take it over.

It's time to take it back.

[chillybew]

This whole "malpractice lawsuits are ruining healthcare" faulty to the point of lunacy. Medical malpractice is not as common as the daytime commercials for attorneys and law firms may make you think, but it's not nearly as rare as is posited by those "anti-trial lawyer" arguments leftover from the '04 campaign against Kerry/Edwards.

Arguing that the cost of one insurance is too high because another's is too high is such a round-about argument, it makes one's head spin.

[truthynesslover]

In europe the medical malpractice is limited and payed by the stsate so is college so i guess you for socialism now?

[rmonroe]

I know many doctors who live in mansions and drive porsche's, so I am not sure what her doctors you know are doing wrong. And sure, it costs plenty for medical school and insurance, but I don't buy the stories about the POOR doctors. If they were poor they would be doing something else. Doctor's in this country are well compensated, and anyone saying otherwise are the same people saying national healthcare is bad. Just more republican lies and scare tactics.

[rhondarn62]

We don't need Universal healthcare in our country! Thats absurd! Thats like a ship that needs repairs and you decide to dump the ship and build a brand new one....I have worked in the healtcare industry for 17 years as a Registered Nurse and I absolutely don't believe National healthcare is the answer. The people who are pushing for Nationalized healthcare aren't painting the full picture...
Why do you think individuals come from all over the world to seek healthcare in the United States? Its because we have advanced medical technology and equipment along with the finest specialists in the world. Do you honestly believe that you will have these type of physicians to choose from with this type of reform? Wrong!!! Do you think that medical students are going to work their tails off specializing in different areas and go into financial debt to make peanuts??? Guess again....Do you think anyone is going to pursue a career in healthcare knowing that they won't make very much money...Nice try....
Two major reasons that healthcare is so exhorbinantly expensive is because of Malpractice suits and the other reason is because of all the illegal immigrants who aren't American citizens cross the borders to the U.S. and receive free healthcare. These are some very serious issues that no one wants to talk about....I will....

[Moxo]

Thanks - i haven't heard the usual GOP drivel about Malpractice suits and illegal immigrants receiving free health care in a month or so.
Hard to believe you are a nurse, much less registered.

Some of the most dedicated medical people I have ever met have come out of Europe's Socilaised medicine - they are in medicine because it is their calling, not their way to a new Mercedes very year.
Check out the staff of such groups as Doctor's Without Borders - ask them if they are in it for the money.

[Bullwinkie]

Not to mention that doctors in europe are still driving BMWs and Mercedes. They have no problems with getting sued, and a lot more time off.

In general a better life.

[rhondarn62]

Moxo,
Do you work in the healthcare industry? If not, I don't believe you have alot of credibilty....Have you ever checked how much it costs to go through medical school? Do you know the amount of debt that they accrue? Do you know how much Medical Malpractice costs for physicians????
Cudo's to you that you know some physicians who have come from socialized medicine. I know people who have immigrated from England and China and said their healthcare sucks!!! You wonder why??? Give up?! Its because they don't have specialist in China....They only have Family Practitioners....I'm sure you knew that though....They can't afford for physicians to further their education and specialize in other areas....

[RRundbaken]

And we will still have advanced technology and physicians. What will change is the exorbitant costs of insurance that comes with a society that doesn't insure almost 50 million citizens who then crowd hospital emergency rooms and who take no preventative care. Or force people into cheap ineffective coverage so they have to go to store front clinics

And doctors willl still get excellent salaries because by having everyone in the system, and having everyone contribute, there will still be the same pool of money, it will just be contributed to by EVERYONE. In addition, health costs will go down because all theses people who didn't take preventative measures like check-ups or waited too long while sick and who now, because they are insured,take better care of themselves and do not have to undergo expensive procedures. I've seen doctors in England and Canada who live quite well.

And as for doctor choice, how much choice is there today, You are forced to use the doctors in the plan you are given by a company. If they change plans you have to change doctors. Not to mention all the unnecessary procedures HMO's put you through before approving the one treatment that they know will cure you..

And Illegal immigrants don't cause the problem. They exasperate it but the 50 million citizens uninsured cause the problem. Our healthcare system is dysfunctional and outrageously costly. Why people like you are so afraid to do anything to fix this is beyond me.

[rhondarn62]

You still have alot of choices depending on the type of healthcare coverage or plan that you have. We provide some of the best healthcare in the world...Why do you have such a hard time admitting this???
There are HMO plans, PPO plans, etc....I know how the system works...I've not only worked with patients that have had this type of coverage as well as others. My family has HMO healtcare coverage. I don't have a problem with it. I know that if you have an HMO plan, you may have to be referred to specialist. Some PPO plans work that way also. That is still alot better than other countries.
My husband lived in England for a year and he can attest at how dificult it was to see a physician much less a specialist....Give me a break...I also know someone who lives in Canada who had ovarian cancer. Do you want me to tell you how long she had to wait to see a specialist much less surgery????

[FreedomCorpse]

nothing absurd about it. Only rich people come from other countries for healthcare here. The financing of medical students will change with it along with malpractice and all that business as well nurse ratchet. I never heard a RN defend doctors so much and my sister has been an RN for over 20 years with 12 years of LPN before that. Lots of people will go into the profession because it means JOBS. Frankly, whatever the negatives are with single payer, the current system is horrible and devastating economically and health wise to millions of Americans but that is just fine with you.

[rhondarn62]

Did you not read what I said in the previous blog? I live in California and their are alot of illegal immigrants that cross the border for free healthcare...Its not as you propose it to be.....
.I worked my way up as well...I have worked as a ancillary scheduler at a well known clinic and worked as a CNA while going to school....I have been in the healthcare industry for quite a few years myself...I am not on the defense for physicians...What I am saying is that I believe there needs to be changes in the healthcare system but not an overhaul like Universal Healthcare....

[truthynesslover]

it doesnt seem to have hurt any other country has it?Even in cuba where doctors make next to nothing there are so many doctors the public complained when doctors were sent to other countries and the people had to walk more than 3 blocks to see a doctor.Must be nice huh?You mght want to understand what your talking about before you post?

[rmonroe]

Here we go again, talking about ALL the canadians that come to this country for treatment. That is bullshit. I have done research on this and in Washington State, the most likely place they would come, they have about 80 people in a year that have are canadian patients. And most of these are due to them visiting here and getting injured. So don't go throwing around that bs that people are flocking here from Canada to be treated. WTH would they do that if they can be treated for free at home? Idiotic.

[Irksome]

The GOP is so determined to remain in a position to keep doing favors for their rich friends that they would rather see everyone who isn't rich struggling to survive with no access to healthcare? They need to stop thumping their Bibles all the time, because that's about as Christian as oh, say, letting people drown in the streets after their city is flooded by a hurricane.

[PennyS]

Claiming enactment of national medicare turns voters to the left, as in the British example, is rather shallow and, historically, a short term perspective. In Canada, we have had universal, government-run medicare since the 1960s-early 70s. It was initiated by the provincial government of saskatchewan, who were indeed, social democrats, equivalent of Brish Labour. Hoeever, other provincial governments who launched in their own provinces were Liberal (i.e. like the U.S. Democrats) or even Conservative. Now, almost nobody on the right opposes meidcare, because it is understood to be a basic infrastructural necessity for social and economic stability. It sure doesn't inhibit anyone from choosing to vote Conservative or elect Conservative, or even more right wing parties to provincial or federal governments in Canada.

[kat1park]

Is this the real reason why we can't have universal healthcare in this country? Seriously? Because the GOP is afraid that if the democrats do the right thing first, they are doomed? You can't be serious. This whole notion of Obamacare is a bunch of BS. Healthcare costs will go down in this country if we implement some common sense regulation, some fresh new innovative ways of doing things, and give all people an option for healthcare if their employers cannot provide it. It's the right thing to do and we can pay for it if the government is more responsible with its tax revenues. Cut the pork barrel spending, that's part of it. That's not enough by itself, but have you heard the one about pennies make dollars,etc? Go through the federal budget line by line cutting plans that don't work. Senator Obama promised us that he would do this and we have to hold him to it. Finally, Senator Obama never said the plan would be free, just that it would be available and affordable. Some people work, but are not covered because of pre-existing conditions. This type of plan would give them some option as opposed to no option. People are dying because they don't have money. Remember the right to life conservatives? Or does that only apply to babies?

[theVoice0fReason]

"...People are dying because they don't have money. Remember the right to life conservatives? Or does that only apply to babies?...."

That is one EXCELLENT and intelligent retort.

This notion should be the lead talking point in a concerted effort to deprogram the minds of our collective citizenry thus far stifled and polluted by the GOP.

Cheers Kat. ;)