The Healthcare Hurdle

We need a rational and lengthy health reform discussion that excludes politics and has the common interest of the country at heart ["Why Obama's Failing Big on Healthcare Reform," usnews.com]. This does not mean everyone will get everything they want. There will be winners and losers but overall the national interest and what we can afford at this time should be the decisive factors. Let's show the world that we are a country that believes in the intelligence of human beings to reach rational decisions after democratic debate. Isn't that what other nations expect of the United States and what we expect of ourselves?

Comment by Terry Olbrysh of AZ

Great article. It cuts through the hype and gets to the real issue: The current model of providing healthcare is broken, not just the funding of healthcare. Single payer won't fix that. Single payer may eliminate some of the waste in the insurance business, but the extra money would only buy us more overpriced and ineffective care. People are protesting because the current plan is a cure worse than the disease. Running up higher deficits to expand a fundamentally flawed system is not only stupid, it's dangerous. If this is the best the Democrats can come up with, they are in serious trouble.

Comment by Mike Lyons of CA

This was a very insightful article but it ignores the reality of our situation. We have become a nation for the privileged. Millions are unable to obtain decent healthcare while the elite among us enjoy programs that care for the very least of their ailments. Yes, there are escalating costs, but haven't we enjoyed an economy that has continued to prosper for the past several decades. Are we not the world's leader in developing new technology? If I recall, people bought into George W. Bush's program to extend democracy throughout the Middle East a few years ago, a proposition that still has us mired in an insane war that has no real prospects for success, at a cost of how much? Enough, probably, to assure a level of healthcare for all of our citizens, equal to that provided for those folks who occupy seats in our Congress.

Comment by Sherwood MacRae of TN

Thanks for recognizing the fact that when government pays for your healthcare, you in turn owe the taxpayer healthy behavior. Moreover, the primary role of government should be to enact and take measures that can drive down healthcare spending and expenses. This includes tort reform, physical and health education, healthy living standards, and the list goes on and on.

Comment by Ray Jay of NY

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