Obama Heads to Boston Fundraiser for Embattled Gov. Patrick. Patrick Touts Obama Use of Bankrupt Mass. As Model For National Health Care Reform

Obama and Patrick on the Campaign Trail - "Yes We Can"

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrickannounced that President Obama will be in Massachusetts on the 23rd of October for a fundraiser to help move “the agenda” forward. The video (below) by Governor Patrick touts that Massachusetts has been the model for the Obama administration in decisions on universal health care.

Patrick, faces an uphill battle for re-election: A recent Suffolk University Poll gives the Governor a slight lead over three challengers, Timothy Cahill, Democrat running as an Independent, and Charles Baker and Christy Mihos, two Republican’s who will face off in a primary. What is not revealed is Patrick’s overall approval rating, which is at 29% and the fact that a huge percentage (26% plus) did not weigh in on any challengers. That said, the Suffolk Poll shows Mihos with an advantage over both Baker and Cahill. Additionally, a Rasmussen Poll, taken in late August, gives Mihos the advantage over the Governor as well both Baker and Cahill. In that poll, Patrick fares slightly better with a 39% approval rating.

What is surprising is that Patrick is singing the praises of the Massachusetts Health Care Model in the first place. Although initially put into place by then Governor, Republican, Mitt Romney; once Romney was on the Presidential Trail in 2008, the original model was stuffed with mandates, taxes and fees, that have continued to drive up the cost of health care premiums for those holding on to private plans in the Bay State An additional 7 to 12% increase is projected in 2010 – which have risen approximately 40% since Commonwealth Care’s inception. Not surprisingly, with such a high cost to the Commonwealth, Massachusetts is about to ration and/or limit choices for individuals as regards their health care options
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Now, Insurance companies nationwide are weighing in on the debate on Capitol Hill, letting those that would move to a Massachusetts Model, that premiums are guaranteed to rise. The data is already in place, a working model in the form of Massachusetts’ Universal Health Care, which, as Deval Patrick has been kind enough to point out to everyone who will listen: is the model being used by the Obama Administration for proposed health care reform.

Surely there is a better model out there, such as opening up the industry to competition in order to lower premiums. This is something Patrick is also acquainted with – Massachusetts recently opened up auto insurance to competition with the result – a drop of approximately 7.7% premiums for insured’s the first year it was in place (rates are still regulated by the state, but Patrick plans, at some time, to allow insurers to set their own rates).

One additional point to be made: Should the President’s stumping (or fundraising) for Patrick fail to see his Chicago cohort reelected in 2010, in a State that is the model for the Obama administration’s policies (according to Patrick), (and at this point, all polls (including the Suffolk – one must look at the marginal’s to get the true picture in that poll – have Patrick out regardless of opposition; although Mihos has the lead across the board) one will not require a crystal ball to see that 2012 will herald total change in the House, the Senate and the White House.