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How the Dems Can Save Obamacare

Keep plans private, creating gov't care 'by proxy'

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 28, 2009 9:41 AM CDT

(Newser) – Amid “widespread national revulsion,” Obamacare as it stands “is dead,” but the Democrats can revive it if they’re willing to make some key concessions, writes Charles Krauthammer—a nonpracticing physician in addition to pundit—in the Washington Post. What they must do:

  1. Dump the public option.
  2. Forget about “any reference to end-of-life counseling.”
  3. Don’t let government decide what procedures are best.
  4. Don’t treat the overhaul as a cost-cutting measure.

Democrats should create “Obamacare 2.0,” which focuses on making health care universal and strictly regulating insurers, Krauthammer argues. The plan would mean “new revenue streams” for insurers as Americans are forced to buy coverage. There’s just one “catastrophic” problem: It will mean even more “out-of-control government spending on health care,” which will eventually lead to rationing—but not before President Obama gets a big political win.

President Barack Obama speaks during the Organizing for America National Health Care Forum in Washington Thursday, Aug. 20, 2009.
President Barack Obama speaks during the Organizing for America National Health Care Forum in Washington Thursday, Aug. 20, 2009.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
President Barack Obama speaks during the Organizing for America National Health Care Forum in Washington Thursday, Aug. 20, 2009.
President Barack Obama speaks during the Organizing for America National Health Care Forum in Washington Thursday, Aug. 20, 2009.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 25 comments
WallyEFunk
Aug 29, 2009 6:47 AM CDT
Good call Bryanw . Think Ur free in America , U can't choose to quit a job, for fear of NOT having or getting healthcare from Ur next employer. Socialism medicine? Next they would pick on the Unions that MADE a middle class in America.
freethemall
Aug 28, 2009 10:27 AM CDT
The way for Democrats to save "Obamacare" is not to water it down until it's a meaningless further boon to the insurance industry, but rather to push it through via the reconciliation process, with a strong public option intact. The time for bipartisanship is over!
Doctor-Zaius
Aug 28, 2009 7:45 AM CDT
as it was proficised

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