by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright July 22, 2009
All Rights Reserved.

         Making his case for national health care at a primetime news conference, President Barack Obama hopes to soften critics, busy distorting his plan to provide insurance to every legal citizen of the United States.  When former President Bill Clinton and Hillary’s plan failed in 1993, few imagined after 8 years of President George W. Bush that the county was ready to pass national health care.  Obama needs to counter GOP spin that his plan amounts to “socialized medicine” or “risky experimentation,” as Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele put it.  Obama’s urgency, seeking a vote before Congress’ August recess, relates to the fierce GOP smear campaign—the same tired arguments used to sabotage Medicare in 1964.  Whether it passes now or in the Fall, Democrats have the votes to beat back determined Republican opposition. 

            House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) expressed optimism that she has the votes to pass Barack’s health care legislation.  While Republicans demonize the plan, theiy’re fighting an uphill battle seeking support from the estimated 46 million uninsured.  While Steele talks about “socialism” or “risky experimentation,” uninsured members of his own party would prefer some coverage over nothing.  That’s the fundamental problem with the GOP’s talking points, that the health debates cuts across the political spectrum.  Obama should do a better job of reassuring insurance companies that national health insurance wouldn’t put them out of business.  Any government plan could be marketed or sold through major insurance companies, assuring them a piece of the pie.  Despite GOP opposition, Pelosi believes she has the votes to move the bill to the U.S. Senate where it faces a more certain fate.

             Republican objections parallel those faced by President Lyndon Johnson in 1963-64 when passing Medicare over loud shrieks from Republicans.  Medicare, while facing funding problems, is one of the government’s crown jewels together with Social Security.  Steele calls Barack’s plan “socialism” but doesn’t object his senior GOP colleagues that have no problem accessing Medicare benefits or cashing Social Security checks, regardless of their wealth.  GOP critics warn about a “government takeover” but have no problem with Medicare or Medicaid.  Medicare, unlike Barack’s plan, is a single-payer system national health care for seniors and the disabled.  Seniors pick their own doctors, clinics and hospitals.  “We will pass reform that lowers costs, promotes choice and provides coverage that every American can count on.  And we will do it this year,” said Barack in excerpts from his press conference.

           Faced with mounting GOP opposition, Obama took his message to the airwaves.  While he wants Americans to apply pressure supporting his legislation to their representatives, he needs to provide more details.  Change breeds fear and Barack must provide more details about his health care plan to win over support.  “You are a part of history and you are watching the legislative process at work, and it will take some time,” Pelosi said at a press conference designed to temper expectations about immediate passage before the Congressional recess   Obama, Pelosi and other key Democrats need to do a better job of countering GOP objections and explaining how average taxpayers will benefit directly from the legislation.  They need to assuage voters that health care reform will bring down premiums, provide greater medical access and save billions in insurance premiums.

            Without the details, medical groups, clinics, hospitals and insurance companies have nothing but fear that Obama’s plan will cut into their profits.  Reassuring health care providers that the new legislation will not slash reimbursement rates would allay growing concerns.  American Hospital Association urged its members to reject Barack’s plan warning that it would “hit future hospital reimbursements hard.”  AHA already committed to cutting $150 billion in rates over the next 10 years.  While looking like a sacrifice, there’s little doubt that hospitals have been guilty of gouging insurance companies.  Scheduling appropriate reimbursements, like Medicare, should help contain costs and make Barack’s plan viable.  Medical groups, hospitals, clinics and doctors must dialogue with their professional organizations to come up with fair and responsible fee schedules for national health care.

            Barack has the wind at his back promoting his national health plan.  While he needs to explain more details, he’s not yet ready to tip his hand during backroom negotiations with Congress.  Hillary would give her eyeteeth to be in Barack’s position of delivering America’s first version of national health care.  Barack needs to do a better job of answering GOP objections, especially the idea that his plan is a socialist government takeover.  Republicans know that Barack’s plan simply offers better, less expensive coverage than most private health plans, too busy loading up exclusions, deductibles, co-pays and other tricks to minimize risk and maximize profits.  Obama’s plan forces insurers to be more competitive, offering more benefits at discount prices.  Reducing health care costs to businesses and consumers should help spur spending and eventually create more jobs.

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

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