Wyden Bennett Healthy Americans Act

If, you believe the situation is precarious, that some kind of change of strategy is essential, and on the minor question of the substance, even a start at real health care reform is unlikely without a game-changer -- then the situation looks different. That's where I think we are.

When Obama arrived at the White House, a bipartisan approach to health care already existed. But he instead deferred to the barons of Capitol Hill to draft partisan bills. It's time to revisit the "Healthy Americans Act."

The Wyden-Bennett bill in the Senate Finance Committee was the only proposal that gets health care costs under control and avoids a government single-payer system in the long run.

The dream of a national health insurance system that guarantees that matters of life or death are not a function of wealth can finally come true, but only if the public option is put aside for now.

What exactly does the HAA accomplish that could possibly attract such broad, bipartisan support in the U.S. Senate? Universal health insurance coverage and immediate deficit neutrality in the first two years.

Health care reform under reconciliation wouldn't be health care reform at all. It would be a deficit reduction bill relating to health care. Or a reform package with an expiration date.