Obama's Health Care Reform Won't Fly: But This Will

It's time to pull the plug. Call off the resuscitation team. Bring in the coroner. Health care reform is dead.

Obama gave it a good shot, but it was doomed from the start. It's better that we face it now and start fresh than to perform what would be the equivalent of taxidermy (with emphasis on the tax) and pretend it still exists.

All the talking heads will compare this to Hillary's debacle but in reality the two are nothing alike. In the case of the Clinton's, the failure was one of presentation. There isn't a person alive who can tell you what that plan entailed. If people don't understand something, they aren't going to support it. The message must be clear and if Barack Obama knows anything, he sure knows how to convey a message. Just as Ronald Reagan spoke in a simple folksy manner that clearly described his plans of action, Obama is the modern counterpart -- a hip, confident, straight up speaker who connects with the masses. Yet, he's talking less and less about health care in detail. And with good reason. He knows it's doomed.

We can get into the particulars, but I'll leave that for the TV entertainers -- you know, the loudmouths on both sides, be it Sean Hannity or Keith Olberman, who will blame the opposition as to why the failure occurred, but it's all regurgitated rhetoric. The answers are actually quite simple.

It's pretty obvious that Obama's plate is pretty full right now. I don't think anyone wants the economy, or the war, or the mending of foreign relationships or the potential threat of North Korea to take a back seat to engaging in more bickering over a health plan. And bickering there will be! No matter what plan is presented, the Republicans will try and knock it down. It doesn't matter how good it is, how much it can help the public or how cost effective, it will not get Republican support. They lost their ball and they just don't want to play. The end.

There will also be many Democrats who will vote against it because they don't want to be responsible for the outcome. And I can't blame them. The way it's going, the reform is nothing but a watered down version of the H.I.P. program we had in New York. And anyone who's dealt with them will tell you; it wasn't the greatest. It attracted doctors who hadn't yet established a practice. It was overcrowded and appointment schedules were limited. The waits were endless. You get what you pay for.

What someone must have to guts to say is the dreaded "S" word. Real reform can only come from a socialized medical system, otherwise it's just another version of what already isn't working.

But here's the irony - the one thing nobody mentions. We already have it.

No, I'm not talking about Medicare or Medicaid. In this country there are clinics in every State, every area of the city, every town that provide health care on a sliding scale. All you have to do is walk in and apply. Also, in case of an emergency, there are EMERGENCY rooms in every hospital and they CAN NOT deny you care.

So in reality, we do have a form of socialized medicine and it works pretty well. Is it perfect? No. But nothing can be or will be. When costs are low, service will suffer. That will be the case under any condition and it is the case in any country where health care is provided. You see, this is where the Republicans sneak in that "we have the best care in the world" catch phrase. Sure, if you can afford it. Everyone else will have to settle. But that would be the case no matter what we concoct and it's time we dealt with it.

Raising taxes to simply slightly lower the cost of outrageously overpriced private health care insurance is weak and uninspired. Attempting to revise the entire system is akin to reinventing the wheel -- too much work and the outcome is likely to be sub-par. Instead, we should improve on what we have - walk in coverage for everyone based on income. Provide for more discount chain pharmacy's that have reduced cost prescriptions plans. Allow for refills of scripts without excessive doctor's visits. Right there, I just saved a couple of billion dollars. Now throw that back into the system and make it better. There, is your answer.

People also have to take responsibility for their own health. The saying "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" has never had a more literal translation. So don't ask the government to stop McDonald's from serving big portions or for Ben and Jerry to keep the chocolate chips out of the chocolate fudge brownie ice cream. And don't try and sue Phillip Morris because you were too stupid to realize that inhaling smoke into your lungs every day wasn't a good idea. It's time we grew up as a people and a nation and took some responsibility.

Will all the optimism I have for the Obama presidency, I'd hate to see this albatross become his Waterloo. Let it go, Barack. And improve on what we have. (Feel free to ask Mike Bloomberg for some advice while you're at it. He knows a thing or two about managing a business.)

Just one more thing. You're going to have to let everyone know - the public and the pundits, the cantankerous conservatives and the lily-livered liberals alike. This is a Socialist program. Call it what it is.

This doesn't mean we're headed for a Marxist regime. It just means we'll be doing what works. And it's about time. I've had this nagging pain in my side and I need to get it checked out.

Comments

[Michelle Sabrosky]

Kutos on the non bias approach, much appreciated, there was a slight lean, but that's ok, hard not to when you obviously have your own political vieews. Nonetheless, thank you for shedding a "centerest" point of view o the subject at hand.

I would like to point out one thing, there is a sad half truth to what you said above: "No matter what plan is presented, the Republicans will try and knock it down. It doesn't matter how good it is, how much it can help the public or how cost effective, it will not get Republican support. They lost their ball and they just don't want to play. The end.", and that is yes there are Republicans who are silly little babies that way, the other side of it is there are Republlicans who will shoot it down on principle, as they should, {all politicians should stand on principle.­..wouldn't that be a crazy day!}.

[GodEater]

"Also, in case of an emergency, there are EMERGENCY rooms in every hospital and they CAN NOT deny you care."

Like when I woke up one night at 3AM with an eye that felt like it was about to explode. It was "just" pinkeye, but at the time I didn't know what it was. Out of fear, I went to the local ER. The bill for the exam was nearly $500. To look at one eye!

So yeah, they can't legally deny you care, but they can sure as hell keep you from going back, because after the first time, you know you can't afford it anymore.

Where I live, there's no public hospital to be found. Socialized medicine my ass.

[Nelson Montana - Huffpost Blogger]

And you think you'd get a private physician to look your eye at 3 AM? Or that a low cost insurance won't cost more? And my point is to IMPROVE it, making it adjustable depending on income, so why are you bashing socializing it? Besides 500 bucks is the cost of some peoples monthly insurance.

And here's another hint -- ER rates are negotiable.

[Chicagofan1]

What a refreshing article. Finally.
I am not a liberal but I am an American and Health Care reforms are vital to the state of our country. VITAL.
Single payer is the only option which will fix the situation once and for all. I will gladly pay more taxes for something that will have no choice but WORK.
The health care should be socialized otherwise nothing will change. For the sake of our children we have to do the best we can to fix what obviously is not working.
Aside politics and ideaology. Do not rush it but "work together" to create a great reform. It cannot be done within a few months... and it should not.
It's too important and too complicated. Even if it will takes four years of his presidency it is so worth it.
That is where I wish Obama would be as tough as it takes. It will be his legacy and I am all for it.

[Nelson Montana - Huffpost Blogger]

Le Pistoir. thanks for the comment. (And thanks for actually reading what I said).

I don't think we're that far off from each other. It really is about improving what is already in place and socializing it to insure coverage for all. It won't be a "one step cure- all" but it doesn;t have to be as convoluted as so many want to make it out to be.

By using Medicare as a base and implementing payment per visits based on income we can have a functional system in operation within a year. But because both sides will fight for an radically opposing position and neither have a practical, affordable plan in mind, the debate will go on ad-infinitum. And that suits some people just fine because they're more interested in arguing their position than finding solutions. But if the paid officials got their collective heads out of the sand and truly wanted to do something, they have a very good jump off point with this approach. Now let's see how they manage to blow it.

[LePistoir]

Mr. Montana,
I can also urge you to be more visionary (as you advise the president):
Start talking about health care as a HUMAN RIGHT just like education, defense, equal protection ...basically, as something guaranteed to every American that undergirds the economy.
Also, you could save "a couple billion dollars" with your proposal, but I think it's weak and uninspired, no disrespect to you. The clinics you mention would already be undercutting for-profit hospitals if they competed squarely on cost and quality. Think about another form of "build on what we have" and expand and improve Medicare-for-All, as in HR 676 http://singlepayernow.net/sb810/HR676-35Questions.pdf
Simply by capitalizing on Medicare's proven efficiency, we stand to save $400 BILLION, enough to cover all the uninsured, even at today's per capita average of $7,129.
I'm in total agreement that we should call it what it is: national health insurance, modeled on the Medicare system. We should admit it's similar to the Canadian system, but that's because the Canucks modeled their system on our Medicare. They even called it Medicare. The guy who rammed it through the legislature is a national hero, even more popular than Wayne Gretzky. Imagine BO saying: "Yeah, we're going to take something that we invented, that the Canadians perfected, expand and improve it so that everyone has insurance from birth -aaand, it's going to cost less than what we currently spend. Pretty Cool, huh?"

[Nelson Montana - Huffpost Blogger]

mad as hell. You said it yourself. Reform is useless unless the terms you state are met. But they can't be. So, you can bet Congress won't listen.

Everyone CANNOT be covered under the proposed plan. The numbers just don't line up. They could under mine.

They must have the option to deny certain care otherwise everyone who wants to visit a doctor for every little ailment will clog the system.

Patients rights already exist. How far do want to extend them until they become unreasonable demands?

Regulations on insurance plans is what this is all about. Do you think they'll come to agreement anytime in this century?

If there is no profit motive you are talking about a social program -- which is exactly what I suggested.

So you see, it isn't just about wanting this or that or saying it should be one way or the other. And it isn't about who makes the biggest grandstand play. It's about solutions that will work. Something that is curiously absent form our government ,as well as much of the public.

[TruthResearcher]

Well said!!! Thanks for such an easy to understand explanation.

And Nelson, when you find out what the pain in your side is, please let me know, I've got one too.

[Roguer]

The Hippocratic Oath,

“I swear by Apollo Physician and Asclepius and Hygieia and Panaceia and all the gods, and goddesses, making them my witnesses, that I will fulfil according to my ability and judgment this oath and this covenant:

To hold him who has taught me this art as equal to my parents and to live my life in partnership with him, and if he is in need of money to give him a share of mine, and to regard his offspring as equal to my brothers in male lineage and to teach them this art–if they desire to learn it–without fee and covenant; to give a share of precepts and oral instruction and all the other learning to my sons and to the sons of him who has instructed me and to pupils who have signed the covenant and have taken the oath according to medical law, but to no one else.

I will apply dietic measures for the benefit of the sick according to my ability and judgment; I will keep them from harm and injustice.

I will neither give a deadly drug to anybody if asked for it, nor will I make a suggestion to this effect. Similarly I will not give to a woman an abortive remedy. In purity and holiness I will guard my life and my art.

I will not use the knife, not even on sufferers from stone, but will withdraw in favor of such men as are engaged in this work.....

[Roguer]

part 2

Whatever houses I may visit, I will come for the benefit of the sick, remaining free of all intentional injustice, of all mischief and in particular of sexual relations with both female and male persons, be they free or slaves.

What I may see or hear in the course of treatment or even outside of the treatment in regard to the life of men, which on no account one must spread abroad, I will keep myself holding such things shameful to be spoken about.

If I fulfill this oath and do not violate it, may it be granted to me to enjoy life and art, being honored with fame among all men for all time to come; if I transgress it and swear falsely, may the opposite of all this be my lot.”

[Samalabear]

Wow, I can't tell you how many doctors I've run into who don't come close to following the Hippocratic Oath.

[Roguer]

If we are to enter into a global economy, the US health care system has to come into line with the worlds. Currently we have one the most expensive (three times) as the rest of the world, and the quality is much lower. We have pharmaceutical corporations, health care corps., insurance companies, and physicians getting very rich off the current system, while providing substandard services.

Ex. Canada purchases prescription drugs from the same companies we do, yet they are a third of the cost.

Ex. One can go to Hong Kong and get a procedure done for a fraction of the cost of doing it in the US, including the travel expenses, and the care is better.

Until the system is brought into line with the rest of the world, any universal health care proposal is useless. The system in place now guarantees and supports excessive prices for services.

Ex. I needed an MRI on my elbow. Price $1000. I said I was uninsured and paying cash, Price $500.

Many are rejected from getting services due to lack of insurance, even though they are capable of paying in cash. Emergency room service is more than double and the author's suggestion for the uninsured to use that option is inconsiderate at best.

I am uninsured because I am self employed and cannot afford it. Pay $12,000 a year when I have never had a medical bill over $1500? Well that makes perfect economic sense. What a scam.

[Samalabear]

I am in the same position that you are. I agree with you 100 percent. And as for those clinics. Yes, I was going to one for a long time. My doctor once or twice for something said go get an MRI, if I can afford. I couldn't, do it didn't happen. After 10 years I'm still walking around. The only thing that affected my health -- mental and physical -- was Paxil, an anti-depressant. The effects were devastating and three years off the crap I am still badly scarred from the experience. You see I had a lot of problems going on at home and, as a result, my doc at the clinic always trying to mental health drugs on me to deal with problems like my son's autism and his subsequent slide into alcohol and drug abuse. These were her answers -- not therapy, not al-anon, not ways to take care of myself, like yoga. It was all about pharmaceuticals.

There are many shifts that have to take place in this country for people to be healthier. Get people off the massive amount of pharmaceuticals they're on. We are the most drugged nation in the world. 100,000 people a year die from pharmaceuticals taken as directed by the doctor, not to mention the polydrugging that takes place as a result of side effects from one drug.

[PR one]

And by the way, we should dismantle Medicare and Veterans health insurance. They cost too much and they are socialist programs.

[lynettema]

Did you ever see a Republican turn those down? LOL

[lysistrata]

The government had decades to improve the health care system. Why was it not done and why should they do anything now, why preserve the status quo? An effective national health care system is essential for a healthy economy, we don't have the luxury to have the privates insurance and medical sector eat up almost 20% of GDP. The resources are needed for infrastructure, housing, education, even the military to pay for Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, we are broke because we refuse to pay taxes because too much of our productivity disappears down the medical industrial sector.

We desperately need a single payer efficient health care system, it is not a luxury and has nothing to do with socialism, just plain good economics. We can't afford not to change it.

[Dustee]

Well, I guess you know everything Mr Montana.

Some big shots also said that "America would not elect an African-American for President."

And we said YES WE CAN!

A lot they knew, huh?

[Altruth]

To the Writer you are Pullin-a-Palin, we are Americans and we don't quit because the going get tough. We need and will have Health Care Reform with a Public Health Care Option. President Obama hold your ground on health care reform with a public option. We the people are with you and it is now or never!

[DestinationsUnknown]

ex-convent on C Street in Washington D.C.?


I am curious- Can you please enlighten us on the oldest Conservative Christian organization in D.C. We really need to be aware of the expenditures of that housing unit on C Street.


Can you please advise how an OB/GYN Doctor/Dea­con/Oklaho­ma Senator Coburn- is immune from answering questions from any law in this country regarding his advice to bribe Senator Ensign's mistress and her family -
Please explain that?

The righteous Coburn of OK - advising Ensign of NV how to handle his mistress and her family!

"Mr. Hampton (husband of mistress) added that Coburn confronted Ensign and urged him to provide millions of dollars in assistance to the Hamptons to pay off their mortgage..."

Where would those millions come from sir?

Oh- that's right- the righteous OB/GYN does not have to disclose doctor patient relationship? Or as a Deacon- Clergy disclosure?

Does Coburn or Ensign pay rent at C Street?

How is that taxed?

Just a few questions

Coburn should not be in health care reform committee

he needs to exit

now