Healthcare: The Art of the Possible
August 20, 2009 3:44 PM
Healthcare legislation is in the news a lot these days. Popular support for President Obama's plan is eroding according to the polls. Faced with that challenge, Congressional supporters have been expected to either go for broke or else cut out some of the controversial parts. The latter would include reducing the total cost (one of the big sticking points), as well as removing relatively minor provisions that have become very controversial (insurance coverage for end-of-life counseling, for example).
A third alternative has been gaining momentum the last several days. Senate democrats are thinking about dividing the bill into two parts. A less controversial bill with little or no budget impact would be voted on first. It would include such generally popular provisions as prohibiting insurance companies from denying coverage to consumers based on pre-existing conditions. That should pass easily, probably with significant Republican support. The big fight would be over the far more expensive second measure. Some parliamentary procedures could make it possible to pass the bill with only 50 votes. However Senate Democratic leaders would still have to consider the public opinion polls. Even if they could pass a very expensive bill, that could come back to haunt them in the 2010 mid term elections.
Whatever course Congress follows, we hope that they will keep in mind that the vast majority of homeowners support healthcare reform in one form or another. Some want it all right now, while others support only parts of the proposals that have been offered. A lot of homeowners are both moderates and pragmatists. We want to see the situation improved this year, and would rather save some fights for later than have the effort fail because the extremists of either party were unwilling to compromise.
The two prong approach is starting to look pretty attractive. If Congress can pass a widely supported package with substantive improvements most homeowners will be happy. They can then relax, make some popcorn, and sit back and watch the next fight between the extremists of both parties.
A third alternative has been gaining momentum the last several days. Senate democrats are thinking about dividing the bill into two parts. A less controversial bill with little or no budget impact would be voted on first. It would include such generally popular provisions as prohibiting insurance companies from denying coverage to consumers based on pre-existing conditions. That should pass easily, probably with significant Republican support. The big fight would be over the far more expensive second measure. Some parliamentary procedures could make it possible to pass the bill with only 50 votes. However Senate Democratic leaders would still have to consider the public opinion polls. Even if they could pass a very expensive bill, that could come back to haunt them in the 2010 mid term elections.
Whatever course Congress follows, we hope that they will keep in mind that the vast majority of homeowners support healthcare reform in one form or another. Some want it all right now, while others support only parts of the proposals that have been offered. A lot of homeowners are both moderates and pragmatists. We want to see the situation improved this year, and would rather save some fights for later than have the effort fail because the extremists of either party were unwilling to compromise.
The two prong approach is starting to look pretty attractive. If Congress can pass a widely supported package with substantive improvements most homeowners will be happy. They can then relax, make some popcorn, and sit back and watch the next fight between the extremists of both parties.
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