Sunday, January 14, 2007
Progressives talk to each other about health care
The Democrats control the Congress and might well win the White House in 2008. Since Democrats care a lot about revising the system by which we provide and pay for health care services in this country, it behooves everybody interested in this issue to pay attention to what progressives are saying to each other. Ezra Klein, who is among the most thoughtful bloggers on the subject (whether left or right), has much to say about the difference between "universal" health care, and health care that is "just, decent, affordable," and humane. He also makes this observation about the political dynamic:
And a quick note on the politics of this issue. Those of us in the progressive echo chamber tend to hear little but calls for comprehensive reform -- and we naturally believe everyone thinks like our commentors. But two caveats: 1) As many have said before, the operative fact in American health care politics isn't that 15% don't have coverage, it's that 85% do, and they're scared to lose what they've got. 2) Nearly 90 percent of Americans are satisfied with the care they personally receive. Read that again.
While I think that our national health care system -- taken as a whole -- is a marvel, rather than the "disgrace" that many progressives believe it is, there are aspects of it that are extremely inefficient and other aspects of it that are tougher on poor people than even I, a wingnut, think is wise or just. And I am fairly sure that I'm not the only righty who is open to reforms. Therefore, it ought to be possible for thoughtful people on both the left and right to work constructively toward sensible reforms. The question is whether the absolutists on each side will derail it.
10 Comments:
By 
, at
Sun Jan 14, 11:21:00 PM:
I absolutely agree that there is a ton of room in the middle to make healthcare fixable. There is so much waste and inefficiency within our system that we could open the door to all of those who are not insured while actually making our system even better then it is. The bigger issue I have with this article is the term "progressive." Since President Kennedy's death what new or progressive ideas has the left come up with that has actually worked? I cannot believe conservatives allowed the left to call themselves that without being challenged.
By 
Final Historian, at
Sun Jan 14, 11:54:00 PM:
I suspect that a smart Democrat could do very well in '08 by proposing health care reform that didn't seem overly radical.
By SR, at
Sun Jan 14, 11:57:00 PM:
TH: The trouble is of course that "progressives" just aren't satisfied solving the problem of the 15% (many of whom could have private insurance, but they choose not to). They want to change what everybody has so that they can be in control of it and perhaps so they can feel good about it. Unfortunately, as Mr. Klein observes this means making 90% of Americans who are satisfied with what they have, less satisfied. Now remember, the uninsured always get care when they really need it by law when they show up in ER's. The 90% pay for it in higher premiums, and they are satisfied. the problem is really a pretty small one when you look at it that way.
By , at
Mon Jan 15, 12:04:00 AM:
Here is the problem in California. Arnold proposes to cover every illegal alien and their children. There are about 100 million Mexicans. This would result in about 45 million journeying to California (since they face little legal consequences and get free health care)
You can't provide health care coverage to illegal aliens and have any money left over for anyone else. Hence the refusal of Dems to act seriously on this since it's really just a means to take money from Americans and give the money to Mexican nationals.
By Purple Avenger, at
Mon Jan 15, 12:47:00 AM:
You can't provide health care coverage to illegal aliens
Florida does.
I can walk into JFK memorial hospital just north of the intersection of Lantana and Congress in Lake Worth FL, say I'm an illegal with no documentation or money and they have to treat me for free. There is a sign on the wall in the emergency room stating this.
I have found my new health care provider and its not going to cost me a penny ;->
By rickl, at
Mon Jan 15, 02:40:00 AM:
Anybody who thinks that the government should have anything whatsoever to do with healthcare should stop and think for a minute.
Do you also think that the government should provide food? Should farms and supermarkets also be taken over by the government? Would that make our diets and food choices better?
By D.E. Cloutier, at
Mon Jan 15, 11:00:00 AM:
In Singapore I asked a world-class heart surgeon about the reason for the low cost of quality health care in his country.
"I don't have to worry about expensive lawsuits," he explained. "I don't have to practice defensive medicine."
By D.E. Cloutier, at
Mon Jan 15, 12:17:00 PM:
P.S. Here are two ideas from other sources to help reduce health care costs:
1. Mandatory first-aid and other basic medical training for all American high-school students
2. Greater access to effective drugs without a doctor's prescription
At the completion of high school, everyone should have many of the skills of a medic in the military.
By , at
Mon Jan 15, 01:57:00 PM:
Nationalize the legal system first, then we will talk about the health care industry.
By Enlighten-NewJersey, at
Mon Jan 15, 02:37:00 PM:
TigerHawk, Could you give us a few examples of what you mean by: “other aspects of it that are tougher on poor people than even I, a wingnut, think is wise or just.”
