By Reid Pillifant
Capital, November 16, 2011

Jonathan Gruber, an M.I.T. professor and a key intellectual architect of President Obama’s overhaul of the American health care system, said, “You know, I think basically, what they’ve constructed, the Affordable Health Act, is the best possible private-sector solution to our problem of the uninsured that we have available, you know, short of single-payer.”

“Basically, this is the last hope for a free-market solution for covering the uninsured. If this fails, then you either give up on the uninsured or you go to single-payer. Those are the only two options left. And the Republicans, if they’re willing to stand up and say, ‘We give up on the uninsured,’ then great, let them say that and let the voters come to the polls and decide, but they won’t say that.”

http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/culture/2011/11/4156059/architect-obamas-health-care-plan-fears-political-decision-supreme-c

Comment: 

By Don McCanne, MD

“Best possible solution… you know, short of single payer.” If the Affordable Care Act fails (which it clearly will because it’s only more of the same), then either we “give up,” or we “go to single payer.” It’s too bad that Jonathan Gruber was distracted by concerns about feasibility when he was assisting with the design of the Romney and Obama plans. The only plan that’s really feasible is one that works – single payer.

Architect of Obama’s health care plan fears a ‘political’ decision by the Supreme Court, says Romney’s lying

By Reid Pillifant
Capital, November 16, 2011

Jonathan Gruber, an M.I.T. professor and a key intellectual architect of President Obama’s overhaul of the American health care system, said, “You know, I think basically, what they’ve constructed, the Affordable Health Act, is the best possible private-sector solution to our problem of the uninsured that we have available, you know, short of single-payer.”

“Basically, this is the last hope for a free-market solution for covering the uninsured. If this fails, then you either give up on the uninsured or you go to single-payer. Those are the only two options left. And the Republicans, if they’re willing to stand up and say, ‘We give up on the uninsured,’ then great, let them say that and let the voters come to the polls and decide, but they won’t say that.”

http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/culture/2011/11/4156059/architect-obamas-health-care-plan-fears-political-decision-supreme-c

“Best possible solution… you know, short of single payer.” If the Affordable Care Act fails (which it clearly will because it’s only more of the same), then either we “give up,” or we “go to single payer.” It’s too bad that Jonathan Gruber was distracted by concerns about feasibility when he was assisting with the design of the Romney and Obama plans. The only plan that’s really feasible is one that works – single payer.