CapitalistMarks

Obama on healthcare — an acrid summit.

Posted on 25. Feb, 2010 by scott in Social commentary, economic daydreaming, political munglings

When I could, today, I watched live, the Obama healthcare summit.

Surprisingly there were many good ideas bounced around–none of them new.  Not so surprisingly, there was a lot of acrimony on both sides of the aisle.  Obama had the repubs sitting on his left and the dems on his right, in what I guess was a weird attempt to moderate ideologues.

It didn’t work.  Tort reform was mentioned but the dems effectively took it off the table (how many of them were/are trial lawyers?).  Open insurance competition was also mentioned but didn’t seem to move anyone from their talking points.  And, cost reforms?  Not a chance.  Too difficult for our multi-term elected officials.

If this summit is any evidence of progress or change then we need to start looking for ‘offshore’ medical care.  Even a hospital ship would be better than what might be coming.

The closing statement by Nancy Pelosi was strident and critical of her opponents on the right.  She didn’t even bother to smile while jabbing her California liberal knife right in their conservative chests.

However, I think the real assessment of the summit came from President Obama himself.  In what can only be termed a threat to republican intransigence, Obama made it clear what his plan is.  If no bipartisan work is advanced on the existing healthcare bills in the Senate and the House within 4-6 weeks, then the dems were going to act by getting the House to accept the Senate bill and just allow passage with no amendments.

I suppose the President believes that some kind of bill, no matter how flawed, is better than nothing.

I guess I would have to agree.  The status quo is just not acceptable.  But this??

Was this summit wasted time then?  We will know in a week or two, not the 4-6 the President allowed for.  Either the repubs will provide some concrete suggestion immediately (they already know what they are) and the dems will accept them (negotiations possible). . .  or else.  That will be clear in the next two weeks.

Great television, courageous on the part of Obama (I can’t imagine Bush even thinking about hanging himself out like this), exposed the public (those willing to listen or watch) to the realities of the issues involved.  Thats about it.

I guess I had better start saving now because I am sure my ‘individual’ insurance plan premiums are going to increase shortly–and I am dang sure I won’t like the increase.  More and more of us working Americans are going to be in the same place as time goes on because it is becoming far to expensive for small to medium sized businesses (or any except the big banks) to offer health insurance as a benefit.

Frankly, my biggest worry is that this whole politicized exercise just might end up costing more of us our insurance coverage.  Then we can expect healthcare to be the main issue for the upcoming 2010 and 2012 elections.

Did I tell you NOT to vote (ever) for incumbents?

Thought so.

thanks to flickr’s simminch for the photo

Tags: obama healthcare summit