Kevin and I just got off the Friday show after talking with Pa’s two U.S. Senators about the healthcare reform debate in this country. I have to say that I was pleased to hear they both support a public option. What you’ve seen these past few weeks was a good ole fashioned smoke screen thrown by the insurance lobbyists with the aid of Republican right wing groups like the Tea Party baggers. The smoke is now clearing, and the people are now getting the real picture of what the facts are on this issue.
It’s very clear that Republicans don’t want to do anything about health insurance. They claim it needs to be fixed, but where were they the last 10 years when our medical insurance costs went up 95% in Pa. even though our paychecks increased less than 18 %? As if that’s bad enough…we’re now paying more for less coverage and higher co-pays and deductibles. They want us to slow down, but they haven’t asked the insurers to slow down the price hikes. For 50 years the private insurance industry has had ample time to expand coverage and contain consumer costs, but they’ve failed.
To be fair, there are conservative Democrats who are ‘lukewarm’ on a public option, like Congressman Chris Carney. The 10th District Representative was on the air with Sue and myself earlier in the week and isn’t sold on such an option. He claims that insurance companies could be mandated to take on pre-existing conditions and costs wouldn’t go up. I’m not buying it. It doesn’t make sense. If they are forced to take on these people, I am certain it would cost the subscriber an arm and a leg! The Democrats are going to have to work within their ranks on this issue, and people like Carney are going to have to come out of the smoke screen and ‘see the light’….healthcare reform without a public option is not meaningful reform and it’s not reform at all.
To all the so-called Blue Dog Democrats, it’s time to stand up and LEAD. You know that there is no cost containment in health insurance without a public option. The best leaders are those who see a challenge head on, rather than run away. You run away from meaningful health reform, you may very well get re-elected, but I guarantee you’ll be in the minority party next time around, and those Republicans aren’t going to be very interested in anything you have to say, or want to do. You stand and fight for what’s right, even if it hurts you at the polls, you’ll go down in history as standing for and passing one of the most important pieces of legislation that will save lives and make people more secure. Your own battle pales in comparison to this war. Lead, big dog, don’t follow.
Corbett
E-Mail
Print
