House passage Saturday of a health care reform bill was hailed (and condemned) as a major legislative event.
But the reality is something far less dramatic. No one expects the Senate to pass the House version. So the nation still does not know what shape health care reform will take.
That’s assuming Congress can come up with a reform package that will attract a majority of lawmakers in both chambers.
Despite a sizable Democratic majority, Saturday’s House vote was a close one. As it was, liberal lawmakers had to be cajoled into supporting the reform bill, while conservative Democrats balked at costs and other factors.
This suggests there is minimal wiggle room within the party, while Republican support for the measure was all but non-existent.
Among the more contentious aspects of the House-passed legislation was the so-called public option, which would allow the government to provide health insurance as an alternative to private companies. Critics claim that the public option would eventually drive private insurers out of business. We’re not so sure of that, but we wonder if it’s wise policy to have government in the health insurance business.
One compromise being considered would establish a trigger mechanism for a public option. It would be used only if private insurers failed to cut costs for consumers.
But that begs the question: How would they reduce premiums? One obvious way is to deny coverage, one of the complaints that’s now aired against insurers.
This brings up the underlying dilemma of health care reform. The effort is supposed to make health care more affordable, while making it more available. These two concepts directly conflict with each other.
To date, Democrats have failed to adequately explain to the American people how this is going to happen. In particular, skeptics doubt any cost control claims.
Much of the public debate over health care reform tends toward the silly, heavy on ideology and thin on meaningful detail. The real issues regarding health care reform are whether or not it can expand coverage, control costs and improve the methods of paying for it all.
Democrats, as flawed as their efforts may be, deserve points for at least trying. Republicans who have mostly divorced themselves from constructive attempts at health reform didn’t even try when they were in control of Congress.
And for those who suggest the best approach to health reform is to leave well enough alone, we counter that this is a recipe for disaster. With health insurance rates far outpacing inflation, and Medicare looming as a fiscal disaster, blind opposition is irresponsible.
If health care reform is not addressed, it won’t be just a Democratic failure. It will be an American failure.
Editorials
EDITORIAL: Dubious achievement
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Congress acts to close information loophole, but is it enough?
It’s generally recognized that knowledge is power. That’s why some knowledge deserves equal treatment. Perhaps that assessment is most appropriate when it comes to information held by government. Government data and the collection of information, after all, comes courtesy of tax dollars, so everyone should have equal access to its benefits.
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High court forces lawmakers back to drawing board
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s decision to throw out a legislative redistricting plan exposes a fundamental truth: The mapping of House and Senate districts in the commonwealth have nothing to do with representation or serving the people.
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Our Opinion: City hurts businesses by ticketing during lunch hours
Most of the candidates running (and now elected) for New Castle City Council and mayor last year said they believed downtown redevelopment was important. This was a common theme during editorial board meetings at the New Castle News prior to last spring’s primary and before the general election.
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Citizens offer to take open seat on New Castle City Council
It’s good to see there is so much interest in serving on New Castle City Council. On Tuesday, council interviewed nine citizens who have expressed a desire to fill an existing vacancy. The only unfortunate part is that most of these people weren’t interested in the post last year, when it was on the ballot.
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Second thoughts
County commissioner decides to take charge of prison board
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Our Opinion, Part 2: Mayor’s hiring of his son raises more serious questions
If you ask New Castle residents to identify the biggest problem in local government, one word will stand out:
Nepotism. The term, of course, refers to the hiring of one’s relatives for positions, regardless of the fact others are equally — or more — deserving of available positions. -
Our Opinion: Why didn’t council keep Chief Tom Sansone?
Last week, a majority on city council refused to confirm Mayor Anthony Mastrangelo’s appointment of Tom Sansone to continue as police chief. For the moment, the city has no police chief, and city residents are left to wonder why.
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Writers reveal ignorance of school board politics
Editor, The News: In a recent edition of The News there was a letter by James Smith that caught my attention.
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Fairness is consideration in Jameson Hospital’s request to city
Jameson Hospital wants New Castle to give it a break. And it’s something city council should consider — if doing so makes sense, and if it is fair to all.
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Proposal to cut size of Legislature moves modestly ahead
Efforts to streamline Pennsylvania’s Legislature took a step forward this week. But plenty of additional steps remain in what promises to be a daunting process.
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Congress acts to close information loophole, but is it enough?
