The Gazette-Enterprise

The cost of health care in America today is not an issue for debate. Both sides of the political aisle agree that it is too expensive, too restrictive, and too selective.

They all agree that something must be done. What is being done by the Republicans is not what the American people want, namely killing any kind of reform.

Let’s look how the arguments against reform have gone.

Almost immediately, the Republicans in the House voted against proposals introduced by Democrats. The first argument that the Republicans used was that it would cost too much. This is the same argument they have been using for years. Their argument was supported by the Congressional Budget Office until it was revealed that the CBO did not take into account any costs reductions brought about by reform in procedures, billing and record keeping. Keeping the cost issue alive, the Republicans then began using the cost of Medicare and Medicaid to show that government run programs always end up in the red. They offered no alternative, however.

When the arguments about costs seemed to be losing, the Republicans introduced the immigration issue. They proclaimed that all the illegals would be allowed to buy insurance. When shown that there was a clear statement of who was eligible to enroll in the public option, they immediately stated that it was not clear enough.

They managed to get rid of the illegal immigrant issue, disregarding how much we would save if the immigrants were allowed to buy insurance, but satisfaction was not realized.

The Democrats would be “pulling the plug on grandma” and there would be “death panels” run by bureaucrats in Washington according to the Republicans. The “death panels” would actually have been doctors who would have evaluated medical procedures and their effectiveness “Pulling the plug on grandma” was in reality the ability of older patients, in sound mind, being able to sit down with their personal physician to discuss end of life issues and the doctor would be paid for it. We all have or will have to face those decisions.

Having a “living will” without medical consultation is not enough. There needs to be explicit instructions made with physicians. We are willing to pay for psychiatrists or psychologists for advice concerning our mental health but are unwilling to pay medical professionals for giving advice and discussing options. The Republicans in Congress, generally, have abandoned these ridiculous arguments.

The public seems to be moving toward acceptance of the public option but the Republicans have some more ammunition to use.

The latest “no-no” is that the public option would allow for abortions. Never mind that the Hyde resolution of some years ago already prohibits public expenditures for abortions, Senator Orrin Hatch has now thrown in that gem into the arguments against health care reform.

The arguments for and against abortion are an entirely different issue that should not be included in a general health care reform bill but it is a sure fire bell in the night for the Republican base.

If the Republicans want to include the abortion issue in the public option, they should also include it in an option for the commercial insurance companies.

Forget socialism and fascism, the Republicans are going to use every means available to kill what the American public wants and needs. It is not beyond imagination to assume that the next issue will involve gay marriage, civil unions or homosexuality. As the old saying “any port in a storm” goes, the Republicans will keep trying. The reform debate is not over.

Jack Linden is a retired history professor and a regular contributor to the Gazette Enterprise editorial page.

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