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Inaction Costlier Than Health Reform

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 22, 2009 7:24 AM CDT
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(Newser) – If you want to see a health care plan that will hike your taxes, increase your medical expenses, and swell the deficit, Steven Pearlstein can name one: "Doing nothing as we continue to search in vain for the perfect plan." For the Washington Post columnist, a somewhat flawed health bill is better than none, and at the moment "the outlines of a good reform plan are there"—universal coverage, controlled costs, and improved quality.

President Obama has blundered by trying to build support with broad promises, particularly his pledge not to add a penny to the deficit. A good health plan might add to the deficit at first but bring it down later, Pearlstein writes. And Obama's promised that anyone who likes his current health insurance can keep it. But the reality is that moving away from "fee-for-service medicine" to focus on improving health outcomes will in fact be a different system. Still, health care reform is viable now, Pearlstein writes: "In recent days, the rumors of the death of health care reform have been greatly exaggerated."

President Barack Obama speaks on health care reform in the Rose Garden at the White House, Tuesday, July 21, 2009, in Washington.
President Barack Obama speaks on health care reform in the Rose Garden at the White House, Tuesday, July 21, 2009, in Washington.   (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)
Alice Bolstridge, of Presque Isle, Maine, foreground, marches during a rally for health care reform, Saturday, July 18, 2009, in Portland, Maine.
Alice Bolstridge, of Presque Isle, Maine, foreground, marches during a rally for health care reform, Saturday, July 18, 2009, in Portland, Maine.   (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
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Next time you hear someone throwing a hissy fit because health reform might raise taxes on some people or require small businesses to contribute $2 a day, just remember to ask yourself: And that's compared
with what? -

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 25 comments
QueenAlli
Jul 22, 2009 12:46 PM CDT
THIS is what the media is failing to tell the American people. THIS is what those talk show hosts never confront their anti-reform guests with. I don't care if it helps Obama's case. These are the facts and the media should be presenting the facts no matter who it helps. And when I say facts, I mean from a primary source. Not talking points from a blogger, or political party.
voiceofreason
Jul 22, 2009 10:02 AM CDT
I agree Obama is doing fine, but it's absolute BULL SHIT, to lump Clinton in with Bush.
Snowleopard
Jul 22, 2009 7:11 AM CDT
the administrative costs of a public plan (like medicare) is only 4%, while the administrative costs for the best run private insurance companies risen from 8% to 20% over the past decade (included growing extracted profits). A public plan will be better value, and that's why the insurance industry is scared.

 
health care • Barack Obama • health care costs • health insurance • deficit • health care reform • Steven Pearlstein

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