Bubba blew it. But can U.S. health care be fixed?
Other government programs, healthier nations show it’s possible
By Robert Bazell, NBC News’ Chief Science and Health Correspondent
MSNBC
May 9, 2006
Back in 1992 when Clinton first won the presidency, American health care reform dominated the campaign. When Clinton took office, the Republicans were ready to compromise. Some moderate Republican senators even told me they were willing to discuss extending Medicare, which covers everyone 65 and over, to the entire population. Presto! We would have had universal health insurance.
But Clinton refused to accept it. Instead he allowed Hillary Clinton to set up one of the great farcical bureaucratic efforts of all time – her commission to reform health care.
Why repeat this history? Because health care reform will become a big deal again soon. Right now the Iraq war and gas prices are dominating the political discussion, but lack of affordable heath care impacts so many Americans that it must rise to the top of the agenda again.
Call me old-fashioned (or many other things), but I believe the government can do some things well, and financing health care is one them. That might be worth remembering if someone like Clinton has another shot at universal reform.
MSNBC online survey (not scientific):
Should universal health care coverage be a priority for the U.S. government?
(1446 responses)
80% – Yes. What could be more important than the health of its citizens?
12% – No. It costs too much and isn’t the government’s job.
7.5% – Unsure. It’s a grand idea, but seems like a pipe dream.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12703029/
Comment:
By Don McCanne, M.D.
When a highly credible representative of the mainstream media is willing to speak up in support of government financing of health care… well… we’re making real progress.