The Free Press, Mankato, MN

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February 8, 2010

Our View: Health care a challenge for GOP

The Free Press

MANKATO —

Whether President Obama’s invitation for a sit-down with Republicans will enhance the chances for a meaningful health reform bill is unknown. But it is likely the only chance for passing any kind of reform.

Now, it is up to Republicans to come to the table with specific plans that provide the keys to meaningful health reform: broader insurance coverage, mechanisms to begin lowering health care costs and less control by the insurance industry.  

Obama on Sunday invited Democratic and Republican party leaders to a televised meeting later this month in hopes of resurrecting the reform measure. The move comes after Senate Republicans secured the additional vote needed to block legislation.

That victory for Republicans comes with a new obligation to become more than the party that says no.

It is a role the minority party — be it Democrat or Republican — too easily falls into as it aims to make political points for the next election rather than working toward influencing and helping pass legislation.

So far, the reaction from Republican leadership isn’t promising. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said: “If we are to reach a bipartisan consensus, the White House can start by shelving the current health spending bill.”

Starting from scratch isn’t sensible, necessary or a way to get health reform. While Democrats made indefensible political bribes of some Democratic senators and made shady deals to get the reform bill through the Senate, Republicans are insincere when they claim they were allowed no role in the bill’s design.

Moderates from both parties helped to change the legislation. That’s why the public option was taken off the table, replaced by an insurance exchange in which private insurers would accept some regulation in exchange for a greatly expanded pool of enrollees.

Clearly there is much in the current legislation that Republicans can support. 

Certainly, negotiating on the existing bill make it more palatable to Republicans is necessary, but their ideas must be ones that can be independently verified to lower costs and increase coverage for Americans. 

Starting from scratch is a prescription for a long, politically charged argument  that will end in legislative inaction. 

Democrats and Republicans need to get back to doing what they all know is needed by finding enough common ground to improve insurance and attack healthcare costs.

 

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