Leah Valencia, University of New Mexico-Talk Radio News Service

While the heated debate over health care reform is often compared to the struggle that former President Bill Clinton faced in the early nineties, there are several key differences, according to a number of health care analysts.

“[President Barack Obama's] effort was initiated when the economy was in free fall, unemployment still rising, we were on the brink of a world wide financial meltdown,” Urban Institute President Robert Resichauer said during a panel discussion at the American Enterprise Institute Friday. “In 1992 the economy wasn’t chugging, but it was improving.”

Resichauer said the current economic circumstances have forced the government to take extraordinary action, which makes the American public leery of the role government is playing in the economy’s life.

Resichauer said that it is imperative to have a bipartisan effort on health care reform in order to win the support of the American public.

Health care attorney Dean Rosen said the political atmosphere surrounding the current debate also stands in contrast with Clinton’s efforts.

“I think it will be very difficult to find more than a few Republicans in the Senate who are willing to do this,” Rosen said. “It makes it a political necessity for this to be a Democrats-only enterprise. This was not the case in 1993 or 1994.”

Ultimately, all panelists in attendance agreed that the current reform effort will meet a different fate than Clinton’s.

“It is not whether we are going to have it, it is when and how,” Resichauer said. “At least at a superficial level we have a lot more support on this than we ever have.”

By Laura Woodhead – Talk Radio News

Universal insurance coverage alone will not solve the health care crisis said Massachusetts Secretary of Health and Human services JudyAnn Bigby Tuesday during remarks on “The Massachusetts Model for Health Care Reform: Lessons Learned” at the Health Resources and Services Administrations Summit on the Future of Primary Care in Rural and Urban America.

“We have no illusions about how difficult this is and how long it will take,” Bigby said. “We don’t feel that simply making sure that everyone has insurance is the answer to the problem.”

Bigby stressed that while there is a lot to be learned from Massachusetts’ attempt at health care reform, passing the same reform nationally would be problematic since, as Bigby noted, reform means different things to different groups.

“Part of the difficulty with a national debate on health care reform is we don’t really all speak the same language about what reform means,” said the Secretary. “When we talk about reform in Massachusetts, we recognize that we have multiple segments within the health care regulatory system, the health care payment system and that we have to coordinate our efforts if we are going to see true reform and long lasting effects.”

The Massachusetts health care reform, which was signed into law in 2006, mandates that those that can afford to must purchase health insurance, either from a private insurer or through the state’s exchange program. In 2006, 7.4% of Massachusetts residents were uninsured which has fallen to 2.6% in 2009. Responding to a question regarding the exclusion of the state’s subsidized program from the exchange, Bigby said it allows them to better the administration of the system.

“Quite frankly we do not believe…that any program that looks like medicaid should be in the exchange,” said Bigby. “It would be, administratively, a nightmare.”

The Secretary dismissed claims that the Massachusetts health reform was costing more than was budgeted for.

“The notion that this is costing the state much more than they anticipated and much more than they budgeted for is simply not true.”

Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) says people can’t expect members of Congress to just snap their fingers and produce a health care reform bill. He says it will take time. (0:31)

 

 Standard Podcast [0:31m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

By Laura Woodhead – Talk Radio News Service

Although the Senate may not vote on health care until after the August recess, passing reform is still an urgent priority said top Democrats on Thursday. Speaking at a press conference, Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) said while it’s unlikely that a bill would be up for debate on the Senate floor before September, the Senate has no excuse to take its time on finding solutions for our nation’s health care problems.

“That does not excuse our committees from doing everything we can during these weeks before the August break, and during the August break to try and meld our ideas and bills together in order so that when we return in September we will be prepared.” Dodd said. “We do not have the luxury of not dealing with this.”

Dodd said that the President’s leadership on health care reform has been strong.

[President Obama] is committed, as committed as any president I have ever seen to a single issue. He has said over and over again that he will expand whatever capital in order to achieve the goal of national health care reform in the nation” Dodd said.

Sen. Thomas Carper (D-Del.) explained that the health care bill is moving slowly through committee because of the multitude of problems being addressed.

“This is probably the hardest legislative lift that any of us will make whether we are here for four years or forty,” said Carper. “If it takes a couple of extra days, a couple of extra weeks or even a couple of extra months its worth the wait.”

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius joined the Senators, and stressed that health care reform must help not only Americans who are uninsured, but also those who do already have insurance.

“The current cost curve cannot be sustained by business owners or by families,” Sebelius said. “Those who have health insurance are a day, a week, a month away from losing it.”

Dodd said that there would be a bill on the President’s desk by the end of the year.

“We have a mandate from the American people to address this issue,” he said. “I still believe very strongly that we are going to achieve that goal.”

“I’m willing to wait, spend the time, do it right, but we need to get it done.”

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) explains that health care reform is not abstract, it’s about the people. “Our opponents aren’t talking about the real families and the real problems these families have,” he says. (0:36)

 

 Standard Podcast [0:36m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

By Courtney Ann Jackson-Talk Radio News Service

Two more House committees have passed versions of health care reform legislation following discussions that stretched into the early hours of Friday morning. That brings the total up to three out of the five House and Senate Committees that have now reported legislation. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) noted in Friday’s press conference that this is the farthest comprehensive health reform has ever gotten in Congress.

The House Committee on Ways and Means chaired by Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) completed their discussion and reported legislation at around 2 AM Friday. The Committee on Education and Labor chaired by Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.) had an even longer discussion which lasted till 6 AM and came back at 9 AM to complete the votes.

Pelosi said, “Congress has made historic progress on health insurance reform that will put patients and doctors back in charge and ensure quality, affordable, accessible health care for America’s middle class.”

Pelosi also noted the recent endorsement from the American Medical Association (AMA) of America’s Affordable Health Care legislation.

“This legislation includes a broad range of provisions that are key to effective, comprehensive health system reform…The AMA wants the debate in Washington to conclude with, real, long overdue results that will improve the health of America’s patients.”

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) joined the Speaker and two Chairmen to announce the “historic progress.”

“These next pivitol months will finally be our chance to deliver-and we will,” said Hoyer.

Dr. Len Nichols, Director of the Health Policy Program at the New America Foundation, says, “If we don’t fix the insurance market, none of this [reform] is going to work.” He also highlights the need for changes in regulation and an increase of competition in the insurance market. (0:22)

 

 Standard Podcast [0:22m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

By Courtney Ann Jackson-Talk Radio News Service

Democratic Representatives say there is a rapidly closing window for passing health care. A health care bill, known as the Dingell bill, will come out Tuesday. Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.) mentioned that the bill is not exactly what he would have put together, but that he believes if the U.S. is going to do something about the problem, it must be better addressed.

“This is a great opportunity. If we waste it, I can’t tell you when it will return,” said Dingell.

Dingell was joined by Rep. Ron Kind (D-Wis.) and Rep. Jason Altmire (D-Pa.) for a health care discussion Tuesday. The Representatives agreed that health care brings a “unique American challenge” that requires an “American solution.”

Kind used a different analogy than that of Dingell and said they were trying to get healthcare “across the finish line.” No matter what the analogy, the point was clear that Democrats want to get the debate going, now.

Altmire said Republicans and Democrats are not that far apart in their ideas but a systematic reform is necessary. He said it would be nice to have Republican support and it would be a chance for them to be part of an important piece of legislation.

“It will not be a perfect bill but we hope it’s one that advances in the right direction which will lead to increased quality [health care] at a lower cost for all Americans,” said Altmire.

The Representatives highlighted aspects of the debate that bring about concerns such as: the costs, a level playing field for insurance companies, and a public option.

At this time, the New Democratic Coalition has not put out a position on a public option, according to Kind. He said it would be a tough sell for some members but that failure is not an option.

Rep. Jason Altmire (D-Pa.) says systemic reform is necessary for lowering healthcare costs. In terms of the House healthcare bill, he says it won’t be perfect but it will be the biggest step we’ve ever taken with our healthcare system. (0:29)

 

 Standard Podcast [0:29m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

By Courtney Ann Jackson-Talk Radio News Service

Doctors for America hand out x-rays and letters to Senators, to give an “inside view of the healthcare system.” The letter reads, “The diagnosis is clear:our healthcare system is broken. Please help us and our patients by passing health reform this year.”