Yesterday a brave and no-doubt socialist radical Democratic senator introduced an 87-page health care reform plan that borrows elements from both Hillary Clinton’s proposed plan and the the strategy contained in Barack Obama’s health care kit bag.
Many found it both startling and heartening that someone had either the guts or the foolishness to put forth such a plan even before Obama arrives in office—especially when conventional wisdom would suggest that we cannot afford to tear our eyes away for even a moment from the worsening economic crisis (a situation that, thus far, Hank Paulson seems to to approach solely by asking himself with near religous fervor: WWSD? What Would Santa Do?)
And who is this madcap, crazy radical who wants the entire U.S. citizenry to have health care? Montana’s senior senator Max Baucus.
Seriously…..MAX BAUCUS!
Now, remember, usually Baucus is a resolute centrist who, on certain issues could even lean slightly right of center. Baucus is also the chairman of the powerful Senate Finance Committee—i.e. precisely the committee that would need to play ball if health care reform of any kind were to make it out of, well, committee.
In fact Baucus is so crucial to health care reform that the CJR—Columbia Journalism Review—has taken to doing an occasional column they call “Baucus Watch,” that tracks any and all things that Mad Max (And I mean that in a really, really good way) has to say about health and health care.
(By the way, Ted Kennedy is said to be readying a health care plan too that will be introduced later this month.)
Here’s what Reuters had to say about Baucus and his plan:
Max Baucus, a Montana Democrat who heads the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, proposed creating a national insurance exchange, similar to Obama’s idea, through which millions of uninsured Americans and businesses could get health coverage.
But Baucus would eventually require everyone to have health insurance while Obama proposes making health coverage more affordable but not mandatory. But both plans would be expensive and come amid financial turmoil.
Both major parties, Congress, consumer groups and employers agree the U.S. healthcare system is in shambles and needs reworking. Obama will have to work with Congress to make any significant changes.
Nearly 46 million Americans have no health insurance and while Americans pay more per capita for healthcare than citizens of any other industrialized country, many studies show they have poorer health, suffer more medical mistakes and are in general unhappier with what they do get.
Consultants PriceWaterhouseCoopers released a report on Wednesday that said the Obama plan would cost the federal government $75 billion the first year but would provide health insurance for 95 percent of Americans.
This would grow to $130 billion a year by 2018.
Reuters also quotes several analysts who say that the financial crisis could push health care reform ahead, rather than roadblock it.
This is Baucus’s point too, according to the NY Times:
“Every American has a right to affordable, high-quality health care,” Mr. Baucus said. “Americans cannot wait any longer.” Far from being a distraction from efforts to revive the economy, he said, “health reform is an essential part of restoring America’s economy and maintaining our competitiveness.”
Yep. Hey, maybe even Max Baucus has caught some of that yes-we-can-fever.
In an internet poll of Obama supporters about our nation’s priorities, prosecuting criminals in Bush administration is ranked ahead of enacting quality, affordable health care for all. Shouldn’t hatred of Bush take priority over life? Let’s not move too fast or get too radical on health care.
Well, here’s the really dangerous, small-business killing part of Baucus’s plan: “require everyone to have health insurance.” Many people don’t have health insurance by choice for valid reasons. It’s one thing to make coverage available. It’s another thing to make people spend money on something when they may have greater needs in other areas.
Now, I understand “both major (pandering) parties, (the most honest ever) Congress, and (left-wing) consumer groups” saying that “the U.S. healthcare system is in shambles and needs reworking,” but don’t give me this nonsense that (cash-strapped) “employers” feel the same and want to pay even more government mandates out of their own limited funds and personnel needs.
Your “studies” about how miserable people are about our health care are suspicious and likely pretty fixed. Canadians who are forced to live with rationing of health care services like coming to the U.S. just fine. I have no problem with our medical services except having to wait too long in an emergency room with a kidney stone. (Too long with a kidney stone is about two minutes.)
The PwC report is so far off, it’s a laugh. I’ve seen other reports for government from them that say what the customer wants to hear. Go check all the disclaimers issued with the report and let me know if you have a lot of faith in it still.
Then, go check how great Hawaii’s government paid health care plan for children worked–it didn’t last a year because it ran over budget and out of money.
An, then, OH NO!, you quoted The NY Times!–quite the auhority on everything wrong with the U.S. How could we doubt that?
Health care issues are less about affordability versus priorities and choices in people’s lives. I’m not ready to break the budget on it and add to the madness of the already crazy federal spending in progress.
Oh, my. Guess who else thinks like me on this plan by Sen. Baucus – a talk radio host.
Neal Boortz: WE HAVE A HEALTHCARE PLAN
Oh goody. We get to debate health care reform in this thread with a drooling moron. Think I’ll take a pass.
reg, you’re not going to tell us that France has a medical system that’s a million times better? Oh, how sad that we don’t get to listen to you on that. Maybe Obama will turn the U.S. into another France. It’s better than another Russia.
Cheney: Hey Biden, come check out my super secret panic room (now where did I put that shotgun?). . .This is where I waterboard the help. This is where I get my blood transfusions. And this is where I bury the bodies. . .