Published in the New York Daily News, September 3, 2009The fight over the "public option" has obscured debate on an element of congressional health reform plans that would be equally consequential and equally threatening to many Americans: the "pay-or-play" mandate.Rather than changing one of the worst features of American health care - the fact that insurance is almost always … [Read more...] about Employer Health Care Mandate Would Make a Terrible System Worse
The Narrative
Highlights Your money or your life Virginia debate Galen’s reach Featured articles Your money or your life: One of the things that happens in the American political conversation is that a narrative takes hold with the electorate. The health reform debate has become a nationwide campaign and, after seeing and participating in many town hall meetings this August, here is what I think … [Read more...] about The Narrative
Senator Kennedy and Health-Care Reform
Published in National Review Online: Critical Condition, August 31, 2009. Senator Ted Kennedy was both respected and liked by colleagues on both sides of the aisle during his remarkable 47 years in the Senate.While he always was firm in his liberal views and I seldom agreed with him, Senator Kennedy did listen to his Republican colleagues and worked to forge compromises. That bipartisan spirit has … [Read more...] about Senator Kennedy and Health-Care Reform
Senator Kennedy and Health-Care Reform
Published in National Review Online: Critical Condition, August 31, 2009. Senator Ted Kennedy was both respected and liked by colleagues on both sides of the aisle during his remarkable 47 years in the Senate.While he always was firm in his liberal views and I seldom agreed with him, Senator Kennedy did listen to his Republican colleagues and worked to forge compromises. That bipartisan spirit has … [Read more...] about Senator Kennedy and Health-Care Reform
An Era Ends
Highlights The Liberal Lion What other senators are saying Shouting for reform Utah leads in innovation Featured articles The Liberal Lion: Sen. Kennedy was both respected and liked by colleagues on both sides of the aisle during his remarkable 47 years in the Senate. While he always was firm in his liberal views and we seldom agreed with him, Sen. Kennedy did listen to his Republican … [Read more...] about An Era Ends
A Reform That's Scary
Published in the Chicago Tribune, August 21, 2009Are opponents of President Barack Obama's health-reform plan employing scare tactics? The White House wants you to think so. The administration recently warned of "scary" messages and "misinformation" on the Internet, and for a while -- until cooler thought prevailed -- it asked citizens to report any claims they found … [Read more...] about A Reform That's Scary
A Reform That’s Scary
Published in the Chicago Tribune, August 21, 2009Are opponents of President Barack Obama's health-reform plan employing scare tactics? The White House wants you to think so. The administration recently warned of "scary" messages and "misinformation" on the Internet, and for a while -- until cooler thought prevailed -- it asked citizens to report any claims they found … [Read more...] about A Reform That’s Scary
The Heat Is On
Highlights Shifting tide Divide and conquer Losing discipline Peggy Noonan Quote of the week Featured Articles The tide has clearly shifted. I am back from nine days on the road, and in forum after forum, from Virginia to Illinois, to New Mexico, Louisiana, and Ohio, citizens are anxious about health reform and about the Obama administration's aggressive expansion of government … [Read more...] about The Heat Is On