Reid’s ‘take on the world’ bluster pits Main Street against government in healthcare war

[Photo Credit: James Gathany, Centers for Disease Control ]Democrats are giddy these days, at least they are if they’re the Pelosi/Reid/Emanuel brand—lover of big government, spend and taxer, paramour of the Nanny State whose first marriage came long ago to another like-minded Dem, Franklin Delano Roosevelt. For these Dems, times are good. The New Deal and the concept of “recovery” constitute the approach and platform for the Party holding absolute power in Washington. So it seemed apropos when wire services reported Sen. Harry Reid issued a war cry after President Barack Obama had lunch with most members of the Senate Dem caucus. And trying to look as warrior-like as possible I’m sure, Reid said, “We’re ready to take on the world.”

By that statement I assume most Democratic Party speechwriters are crafting heartfelt apologies at an increased pace, assuring the world the US is to blame for every mishap around the globe. And I assume Reid also intended to go full speed ahead with what he and his ideological kin are calling “healthcare reform,” gathering the troops to go forth in the waning days of summer and sell Americans the most ineptly crafted bill I have seen, even surpassing the Energy bill the Dems rushed together with the speed of an ACORN employee soliciting voter registrations.

The Washington Post ran a header, ‘Health Insurance Lobby Strikes Back at Industry’s Critics.’ The article reported on remarks in a news release by Karen Ignagni, president of America's Health Insurance Plans. As an aside, I wonder why WaPo doesn’t use the word ‘lobby’ when reporting on trade unions or advocacy groups. Or why the term 'trade group' is never used to describe a private sector interest. As a matter of fact, I wonder why Ignagni didn’t speak sooner. I remarked recently to a colleague it appeared the whole insurance industry had given up the fight and had agreed to implode in order to accommodate a single payer system which is, despite what you’re told on Main Street, most likely the whole point of all this “reform.”

Pelosi called the health insurance industry “immoral” and referred to them as “villains.” So if you’re a clerk working for an insurance industry, you know exactly what the saber-tongued speaker of the House thinks of you.

Ignagni, however, decided to take a stand. Of the current Congressional putdowns, she said, “[A] campaign has been launched to demonize health plans and the men and women who work hard every day in their communities to provide health insurance coverage to more than 200 million Americans.”

And then Ignani shared some information no politico will speak of: “In recent days, policymakers have embraced health insurance reform – the concept we proposed in 2008. Health plans were the first of the stakeholders to come to the table with a comprehensive proposal to reform our own sector. Our proposal brings everyone into the system, guarantees coverage for all Americans, does away with pre-existing condition limitations, and ends rating based on health status and gender.”

As government bureaucrats plan for baby boomers, in addition to treating the millions who enter our country by legal means or otherwise, it is obvious Medicare will begin to wobble in a manner resembling the Jolly Green Giant if he were to down a bottle of good Scotch. Besides, Medicare and Medicaid are repositories for plunderers—simply put the words ‘Healthcare fraud US government’ into a search engine like our new fav, Bing, and you will understand.

Or alternatively, spend a little time on each FBI field office site, surfing through the news releases for each. Billions down the tube because the government has created programs the government is incapable of administering and overseeing.

Our president and Dem congress members sound more like cheerleaders than representatives when they talk about the bill with the highest profile, HR 3200. Specifics aren’t given, but there is a basic implication: if you deny Americans the right to health insurance, you are a low down dirty racist possibly Bible thumping potential right wing extremist and probable global warming “refuter.”

No Dem is talking specifics. For instance, jobs. The Congressional Budget Office found, “Requiring employers to offer health insurance—or pay a fee if they do not—is likely to reduce employment, although the effect would probably be small. Those who would most likely be affected are currently paid close to or at the minimum wage."

A current accepted “truthism” is that Americans pay more in healthcare costs than people in other developed countries. But Health Affairs (funded by Project Hope) says one reason is the cost of labor. So if we get cheaper docs and nurses, what is that going to do to quality? Anyone know?

Another cost factor cited is US unwillingness to ration, although rationing occurs already and anyone with Medicare knows it. Health Affairs also points to an item it seems no one is comfortable talking about: “Heroic medical intervention at life’s beginning or end also falls into the high-cost range of the QALY supply curve.” Would the government in the future weigh the value of a life vs. the cost of care?

Numerous questions come to mind, specific questions about HR 3200. But not a single plan fan is talking turkey. Only baloney is coming from the mouths of those you elected to represent you.

Reid’s bluster may play well to our Congress and our president, but he might remind himself it’s one thing to take on the world. It’s another to take on Main Street, USA.

'Reid's take on the world bluster pits Main Street against government in healthcare war'
by Kay B. Day
The US Report, Aug. 4, 2009