The Role of the American Public in Healthcare Reform

The first volley has been fired by the democratic controlled congress under the leadership of Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid. Healthcare Reform is one step closer to becoming law. Until the dust settles on the true merits of this legislation, the greatest accomplishment of healthcare reform has been to engage the American people in political issues.

Both the left and the right have been using hyperbole under the guise of rhetoric to sway American Public opinion. President Obama pledged he would not sign any legislation that was not cost neutral. The Democrats wanted a single-payer government takeover. The Republicans vowed that this is Armageddon, an all out assault on individual freedoms. Somewhere in the middle is the truth - we hope.

Very few Americans actually read the 2,000 page legislation, and fewer can really understand all the stated implications. Here is what you can expect from all parties as the months count down to the November mid-term election cycle. And yes, the American Public has a role too.

President Obama. Watch the President start doing the electric slide dance back to the political center and assume a populist tone with the American Public. He will continue to sell the merits of the plan while minimizing many of the campaign promises that were broken. The President actually started this move with the signing of an Executive Order clarifying federal funding language for abortions. President Obama is gambling that the American public will have a short memory or potentially another crisis of national importance will obscure the relevancy. What does he hope the American public will forget? Bi-Partisan Reform, C-SPAN cameras rolling rather than close door deals, single-payer agenda, cost, debt, economic crisis and vowing an up or down vote even after losing a Senate majority to name a few.

Democrats. Pre-existing conditions, debt reduction and to some extent the promise of healthcare premiums falling will continue to be common talking points. We will hear about Sally-Sue and Joe Six-pack finally getting coverage they could not previously afford. They will be hoping the American public will forget that Congress rammed through legislation that the American Public overwhelmingly disapproved. They will also hope the American Public will forget terms like reconciliation and super majority. They will be able to stall past the November election cycle, but many will wonder where all the benefits are after 3 years of increased taxes. Furthermore, as "fixes" are approved that show this legislation will erase any previously claimed deficit reduction will hide behind complexity and the greater good for the American Public.

Republicans. They run the risk of being sore losers in this whole escapade. They have the unenviable challenge of keeping the American Public engaged over an issue that is old news to many. Republicans must tone down the rhetoric and make a fact based case to the American public as to why this is bad policy in terms that matter to Joe Six-pack and Sallie-Sue. On their side is the conservative Tea Party movement and dominance in talk radio. Their messaging must be clear and concise and create a substantive campaign that calls Americans to action. The leading initiative appears to be Fire Nancy Pelosi mantra. In fact, there is already a website, www.firenancypelosi.com. Done properly, the conservative movement will acknowledge the 2-3 good aspects of the Healthcare Reform bill and clearly hold Congress accountable for the 7-8 really bad policy items. For example, why is the student loan program part of Health Care Reform? What are the long term implications of cost for future generations? Currently we will be paying taxes for 10 years to get 6 years worth of stuff. How does the math work in year 11? Year 20? Year 50? Probably a lot like Social Security - bankrupt.

American Public. The American Public must decide if they value freedoms and what role government should have in their lives. Do we condone an ever expanding government? This issue is not about healthcare reform, there are plenty of solutions that did not need $940 Million dollars all at once. Why not a pilot program to work out the issues before wasting taxpayer dollars? Never mind, it was Massachusetts and it has bankrupt the state before federal funding subsidized the excessive shortfalls. What makes the American public think for one minute that government will act responsible with our tax funds? Will rationing seem more palatable when we are backed in a corner and the choice is to give away our sovereignty or engage death panels?