How can President Obama possibly endorse the bill that Speaker Pelosi unveiled to such great fanfare on Thursday? The House bill breaks major promises he has made to the American people about his goals for health reform. To name just a few: Cost: The president has assured us that health reform would lower health costs. But the House bill would bend the federal cost curve UP, not down, according … [Read more...] about Breaking Promises
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The Fix Is Not In
Cost matters: The cost of health care remains the central issue in the health reform debate, and that's why the news this week was so bad for leaders on both sides of Capitol Hill. First, the Senate. Wednesday's vote on the "Doc Fix" stunned everyone, even, apparently, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. His plan was to shove $247 billion under the carpet and pretend that a … [Read more...] about The Fix Is Not In
Humpty Dumpty Health Reform?
Cracks and strains: Many of the deals that the White House has been cutting all year with health industry leaders are starting to show the cracks and strains of political pressures in Congress. While all the news this week focused on the Senate Finance Committee reporting out a ghost bill with one Republican vote, health reform is far from the finish line. Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE) said it best: … [Read more...] about Humpty Dumpty Health Reform?
Making Policy by Headlines
Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus got the headline he wanted out of The New York Times today: “Health care bill gets green light in cost analysis.” And the lead in the paper’s first editions was even better for him: “Democrats rejoiced over news that the Senate’s measure met White House expectations and would reduce the deficit.” Which goes to show that the … [Read more...] about Making Policy by Headlines
Beltway Hothouse
Highlights Plowing ahead Doctors weigh in A new poll O Canada Galen news Featured articles Let's hope this is the darkness before the dawn because the feeling in Washington right now is gloomy among those who believe in freedom, markets, and individual control over health care decisions. Congress is plowing ahead to get health reform done this year, no matter what the American people … [Read more...] about Beltway Hothouse
Pressing On
Highlights Why the rush? A few truths So what is going to happen? Cease and desist Featured articles Why the rush? Congressional leaders and the White House are pushing forward with their aggressive agenda to remake our health sector as though they are oblivious to the fear and outrage outside the Beltway and the pleas of the American people to put on the brakes. Only one in five … [Read more...] about Pressing On
It's Not Over Yet
Highlights Dance with me Dissent is brewing A concise summary Galen highlights Featured articles Dance with me: Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus spent much of the summer dancing with the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to figure out how to squeeze his health reform bill into its scoring framework and get a positive outcome. Surprise, surprise, he succeeded! The CBO said … [Read more...] about It's Not Over Yet
A Speech, Not a Plan
Highlights Paying for reform Rising health costs Keeping the coverage you have now Our own focus group The uninsured Featured articles President Obama's speech last night soared with oratory but fell flat in delivering on his promise to present details or any substantive new policy initiatives for his health reform plan. He may get a few days of lift from the passion and cheers … [Read more...] about A Speech, Not a Plan