Action For Better Healthcare

By Mike Daly
Retired CEO, Baystate Health System

As the Senate prepares for a vote on healthcare reform on Christmas Eve, my concern grows. Yes, like many others I believe we do need reform. However, I am troubled by the 11^th hour backroom deals. Sorry, but they put a bad taste in my mouth.  

I am concerned that what Congress is describing as healthcare reform is anything but that. They are filling the legislation with "pork" and are trading votes on not what is needed, but what will sell. Democrats bribing Democrats to get the votes they need. 

Here is a quote from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in an interview with CNN in case you missed it:

"If you will read the bill ... you will find a number of states are treated differently than other states. That's what legislation is all about: compromise... We worked on different things to get a number of people's votes.  I don't know if there is a senator that doesn't have something in this bill that was important to them. And if they don't have something in it important to them, then it's -- [it] doesn't speak well of them."

I doubt that many Americans even know what's in the bill anymore. It changes by the hour. Ask yourself, why can't this bill pass without sweetheart deals? Maybe because the healthcare reform bill is not as good as it could be.

If it were up to me I'd call for a TIMEOUT and truly study what's on the table. My sense is that Congress is not motivated to do what's right, but has adopted an artificial timetable to cover their political rear ends.

We will be correcting this mess for years to come.  

What do you think? Post your comments below.

Related posts:
Health system reform is much bigger than health insurance reform
National healthcare debacle

mdaly | Government, Legislation, Quality, best practices, healthcare costs, healthcare reform | 12 22nd, 2009 |

One Response

1. Ed Howe Says:
   December 23rd, 2009 at 4:54 pm
   [+]

   Well, the bill is a mess. We need real reform, but while the bill has some redeeming value, on whole it does not start real reform... ...

   [Open ↓]
   [-]

   Well, the bill is a mess. We need real reform, but while the bill has some redeeming value, on whole it does not start real reform that assures coverage for all and incentives to deliver more cost effective care.
   Community by community we need to develop the right solutions. Washington is unable to develop a rational solution, so lets not wait for them.

   [Close ↑]

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