by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright July 20, 2009
All Rights Reserved.

          Launching a frontal assault on President Barack Obama’s health care plan, the Republican National Committee smells defeat, not for Obama but for itself.  When Minnesota’s newly minted comedian Sen. Al Franken was sworn in July 8, it was no laughing matter for the GOP faced with a 60-vote, filibuster proof majority in the U.S. Senate.  With House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) firmly in charge of the House, Republicans know Barack’s health care plan is well-within his grasp.  Unlike 1993, when former President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary tried but failed to pass national health care, Obama firmly controls both houses of Congress, increasing chances the some type of health care reform will pass this year.  RNC Chairman Michael Steele took out both guns, blasting Barack’s plan as “socialized medicine,” the same tactic the GOP used to block Medicare in 1964.

            Steele’s arguments closely parallel GOP opponents of Medicare who argued that it would destroy the American health care system.  Forty-five years later, Medicare has become one of the government’s crowning achievements.  While some doctors complain about lowered reimbursement rates, most tout the program’s independence and key feature allowing patients to choose their own doctors.  While costly, Medicare is a single-payer government health plan that gives seniors and the disabled access to the nation’s best private practitioners.  Most seniors around the country, whether members of Congress or autoworkers, use their Medicare benefits.  Obama’s health plan doesn’t come close to providing a single-payer national health plan.  There’s real questions about whether his plan forces patients into government-run HMOs, a sure prelude to rationed care.

            Obama’s plan attempts to provide a government-sponsored health insurance, designed to give 46 million uninsured Americans comprehensive care.  Obama’s plan bans denials based on pre-existing conditions or rate-hikes based on age or medical diagnoses, the exact conditions used by private insurers to maximize profit margins.  “Obama-Pelosi want to start building a colossal, closed health care system where Washington decides.  Republicans want and support an open health care system where patients and doctors make the decisions,” said RNC Chairman Michael Steele, whose assault signals that Obama is getting closer.  Steele knows that insurance companies currently deny individuals access to medical insurance based on age and pre-existing conditions, adding to the uninsured.  Steele calls Obama’s health plan “risky experimentation” without offering options.

            Steele's solution is to give tax-breaks for health savings accounts, allowing individuals to purchase health insurance in the private sector.  “Many Democrats outside the Obama-Pelosi-Reid-Waxman cabal know that voters won’t stand for these kinds of foolish prescriptions for our health care.  We do too . . .” said Steele, showing deafness to the vast numbers of voters without health insurance.  Obama’s plan has to reassure voters that they won’t lose their employer-sponsored health insurance, nor will they face the same kinds of restrictions and exclusions current dominating the industry.  If by “risky experimentation” Steele means concerns about government-controlled HMOs, then he’s got a valid point.  But Steele doesn’t show those concerns, only about the government helping taxpayers with coverage.  Obama hasn’t yet specified whether his plan covers illegal aliens.

            Having 60 votes in the Senate forced Steele to go on an all-out PR blitz opposing Obama’s plan in the House.  Barack must show lawmakers how he intends to finance national health care.  Since most economists warn about growing deficits, White House Budget Director Peter Orszag must find a ways to underwrite the plan without busting the budget.  Escalating the Afghan War won’t provide the needed funds to finance national health insurance without busting he budget.  “We think we can make that.  We’re working towards that,” said Orszag, believing he can find the savings without exploding the deficit.  Scaling back Iraq or taxing the rich won’t fly with too many Republicans cognizant of the costs involved in subsidizing health care.  Obama has argued that ending the recession is tied to health care reform.  He’s going to have to show how the numbers work.               

            Republicans show growing anxiety that Democrats have the votes needed in the Senate to pass meaningful heath care reform.  Coordinating attacks with the RNC, House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) expressed grave doubts about Obama’s plan, blasting it as a government takeover and budget buster.  Steele and Boehner have no clue how to insure over 46 million Americans.  They’re dead wrong assuming that most Americans worry about a government plan.  They have no worries about Medicare other than its long-term fiscal insolvency. Before Democrats jump on the bandwagon, they must be convinced Obama plan doesn’t ration health care.  For all Medicare’s faults, it provides a single-payer health plan, allowing private practitioners to participate.  Barack’s plan must do more for all ages and preexisting conditions:  It must not ration care to save money.

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He's editor OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.

©1999-2002 Discobolos Consulting Services, Inc.
(310) 204-8300
All Rights Reserved.