I thought the fix was in, that Democrats in congress wouldn’t pass health care reform. But they did. Nancy Pelosi, you go! Have you considered running for president some day?
Toward the end, the Republican refrain was that passing HCR would hurt Democrats. But you know what? Everyone loves a winner, and right now congressional Democrats are winners. So maybe now congressional Democrats will be emboldened to start working on the revisions needed to get HCR right.
During our USAF career, my family and I had what can only be called socialized medical and dental care: military doctors, military facilities, taxpayer-funded, single-payer. When I retired we shifted over to the military’s HMO and dental plans, TriCare and Delta, which are heavily subsidized by taxes: we pay a modest annual fee for what has become, as the gold-plated civilian HMO plans of the past have gone under or become prohibitively expensive, excellent coverage. And we cannot be denied care, ever, for any reason.
So you might think I’d be all in favor of socialized medicine, and you’d be right. I love my socialized military medical care and wouldn’t trade it for anything. I want everyone to have medical care like mine. I want it to be single-payer, supported by taxes.
Yes, of course such a plan will cost billions. Yes, of course taxes will have to go up. But will it be cheaper than forcing people to buy their own coverage from private health insurance companies? Oh hell yes, a lot cheaper.
We need single-payer. What’s the easiest way to get there from here? Expand Medicare to cover everyone.
Am I less free as a result of receiving socialized health care? Am I less patriotic? Am I less American? Obviously not.
So come on, Democrats, ignore Republican rhetoric and get busy. You’re on a roll! If you get health care right, you’ll guarantee a Democratic majority in both houses — and a Democratic presidency — for the foreseeable future (which, as I’m sure I don’t need to point out, is exactly why the Republicans fought so hard against this legislation).
Note: I started this post by saying I thought the fix was in. Actually the fix was in, if by “the fix” one means Obama’s refusal to consider single payer and his abandonment of support for a public option. And that needs to change. Now that congressional Democrats have shown (to others, but far more importantly to themselves) that they have spines, maybe they can help Obama grow one too.