Liebermun clogs the debate for political gain

Thursday, December 17, 2009
By Howard Dean
former chairman of the Democratic National Committee and governor of Vermont from 1991 to 2002.

I'm not giving up on health-care reform. The legislation does have some good points, such as expanding Medicaid and permanently increasing the federal government's contribution to it. It invests critical dollars in public health, wellness and prevention programs; extends the life of the Medicare trust fund; and allows young Americans to stay on their parents' health-care plans until they turn 27. Small businesses struggling with rising health-care costs will receive a tax credit, and primary-care physicians will see increases in their Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement rates.

In Washington, when major bills near final passage, an inside-the-Beltway mentality takes hold. Any bill becomes a victory. Clear thinking is thrown out the window for political calculus. In the heat of battle, decisions are being made that set an irreversible course for how future health reform is done. The result is legislation that has been crafted to get votes, not to reform health care.

In my home state of Vermont, we have accomplished universal health care for children younger than 18 and real insurance reform I know health reform when I see it, and there isn't much left in the Senate bill. I reluctantly conclude that, as it stands, this bill would do more harm than good to the future of America.

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Comment: Ex Governor Howard Dean pretty much has the current situation nailed. The few are holding the majority hostage for personal political gain. It is beginning to look as if it is our politicians are even more in need of reform than our health care system.