Congressional Health Care Plan – No Surprises - Overall Decline in Quality of Health Care can be Expected – Placing Incumbents at Risk.

Congressional Approval low among Independent and Republican and Democrat voters- image blogsrepworthreading

An article from the Boston Globe, via the A.P. speaks to the risks involved in the newly unveiled Obama Administration health care reform plan; the plans target the insurance, prescription drug, doctors and, the medical device industry for heavy taxes. These taxes are designed in part to defray the costs to the 1.5 Trillion Dollar plan that House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi unveiled yesterday in a public ceremony that was, not open to the public, rather open to those who were specifically chosen to attend by invitation only.

Arrogance or Stupidy: Pelosi Pushes Public Option to Detrement of the Public - image: huffingtonpost

Apparently, those industries targeted for higher taxes, fees and cuts, did not “play ball” with the Obama administration in the initial stages of the bill when health care providers were asked to accept taxes and fees that were designed to support the public option – or more specifically the “competition”. In honing in on the insurance companies with higher taxes, those who are currently holding policies can anticipate a sharp increase in premiums, in this economic climate, it is difficult enough for the average middle class to manage, and any increases plan an additional burden on families. Doctors have also been targeted as a group to pay higher taxes and fees – the result – either those fees will be passed onto the already over-taxed insurance companies, or the general public, or those physicians will look elsewhere – there is to date, no tort reform on this administrations agenda, which would at the least offer some relief to those practicing medicine by reducing exorbitant medical malpractice awards, thereby reducing the sky-high malpractice insurance premiums which affect anyone in the medical field. The pharmaceutical companies, will, in all likelihood, reduce research, which will further affect millions of American’s who are waiting for a miracle drug that only U.S. pharmaceutical firms appear to produce. The most hazardous of all industries targeted is the Medical Device Industry which produces medical equipment used in surgical procedures that make life livable for seniors and additionally, save lives. These firms produce devises such as artificial hips and heart stents and a host of products used in surgical procedures or alternately to reduce the risk of surgery.

Apparently, those in Congress who attended non-scripted Town Hall meetings over the summer, failed to grasp the fact that the majority of American’s preferred their current health care program, that improvements would be welcome, but that any deviations that would harm the current quality of care would not be tolerated. It is either the unfettered arrogance of the elite who live in the bubble that is Washington, or perhaps, at this point, the stupidity of those who, for now, control the lives of 309 million Americans, that has led to this debacle. Obviously , the House version is not the final say, rather the Senate must weigh in, and at this point, embattled Majority Leader, Harry Reid, is “almost certain” that the bill will make it to the floor” . It is understood that the Senate version has a type of “public option” that would allow States to opt out, includes provisions to tax individuals who, for what-ever reason, do not have health care (see Massachusetts model), both of which, as previously mentioned, do not play well with the majority of the public. (Refer to polling date where only 23% strongly approve of the Congressional plan.

Adding additional debt to an already astronomical deficit, with no end in sight, and spending taxpayers’ dollars with abandon, may play the largest role in the nations swing to the right (Gallup) as well as the swing right in early 2009 races; Virginia and New Jersey Governor races, and two U.S. Congressional seats: the New York 23rd and the California 10th. Of the four, it is possible that New Jersey (which is too close to call at this point) and the California 10th (again too close to call), may remain in the Democrat’s control, but the loss of two seats, regardless of whether they be a State Governors chair, or a U.S. Congressional Seat, signals the mood of the country - and a growing probability that the bulk of the 2010 Congressional races will swing right (again refer to all the Red or in some cases “black” for alternative party, appearing in polling on the Real Clear Politics website here

Although polls can be skewed to create a favorable outcome (many polls are commissioned and/or polling organizations have a specific ideological bent), it is apparent that with an average approval of under 25% the Congress is at risk along with those American’s who rely on the health care that is known as the best in the world. Reform with improvement would be welcome, but the current versions do not offer improvement, rather they signal additional burdens on the system and the general public.

Yet Another Obama Prime-Time Health Reform Address – Method Has Been Time-Tested – Network Ratings in Peril.

Barack Obamais planning two key addresses next week, one a prime-time address to Congress on Health Care Reform, and the other a mid-day address to the nations public school children (also available on C-Span). The address before Congress, encouraged by Speaker Pelosi, and Majority Leader Reid, will attempt to sell Obama’s Health Care Reform to the public.

The premise of this particular address is to explain to the nation what it is that Obama envisions as Health Care Reform, and understanding that the public option (government run program) may be off the table, may or may not (depending upon those who elect to watch in the first place) aid in his falling poll number. Old adage: familiarity breeds contempt – may apply. Add to that, a public school address, the contents of which will be based on “service” may or may not be similar to a video shown in a Framingham, UT public school. The video talks to students about service, to Obama, not to the public, and is complete with celebrity endorsements. Parents took umbrage at, what amounts to a paid (by tax dollars) political speech, aimed at the next generation. (Video below)

That said, polls will tell, should the President have a successful prime time show, it will be reflected in the polls and should he fail in that endeavor (over-exposure), then it will be interesting to see if the Congress continues to push for a vote on reform, or if the legislation will come off the table completely. (Saved for a more “popular political atmosphere”.)