Modeling Journey

The chips are down in the Senate, as antediluvian Democratic senators on a committee gang up with the neanderthallic Republican senators in order to gut President Obama's health care proposals.

The battleground issue is the provision of a government-alternative (read: Like the sensible and workable Canadian system).

The so-called Blue Dog Democrats (almost indistinguishable conservatively-minded Democratic senators) are backing the Republican drive to avoid having this alternative in the President's health care bill when it passes the Congress.

The White House is starting to telegraph weakness on this issue almost as audibly as Michael Ignatieff laying down the rules for reform of EI in Canada (360 hours is the maximum. No? Well, then, 520 hours is the maximum … No? Well then …).

And now the man who is the architect for the resurgent Democratic victories in the Senate and House, Howard Dean, has thrown the gauntlet down before the President by public letter on his website, and given him some advice:

"Having dedicated ourselves for the last two years to getting you elected and working to help you enact comprehensive health care reform, I am writing to you today to share what I believe your most ardent supporters would like to see in the health care legislation we all hope you will sign this year.

First and foremost, it is time to cut the Republicans loose. The only thing that will be gained from continuing to try to work with them and adopt their amendments and so called "compromises" is an increasingly watered-down bill. In fact, I would urge you not to sign a watered-down bill."

And the letter goes on:

"Americans wants real health care reform and they want it now!

What they mean by that, is a single payer plan is not feasible, but:

-A STRONG PUBLIC PLAN option into which every single American can enroll if they CHOOSE with comprehensive benefits that are the same for EVERYONE (none of this bronze, silver and gold level benefits). We were created equally and we should be treated equally;

-LIMITS ON OUT-OF-POCKET COSTS so that NO ONE in America ever goes bankrupt from medical care again (no one should have to spend more than 10% of their family's income on medical care);

-SERIOUS REGULATION of the health insurance industry (no more pre-existing condition exclusions or limitations, no pricing premiums based on health status or age, gender or any other individual characteristic, no canceling policies, guaranteed issue and renewal, requiring that they spend 90% of premium on medical care, and finally requiring that all individual/family private insurance be sold through the Exchange);

-REAL SUBSIDIES for those who cannot afford coverage up to at least 350% of FPL; and

-PAYMENT reform for physicians and hospitals that fairly compensates them for the care they deliver REGARDLESS of the patient they are treating."

Dean's public letter recommends that the President not sacrifice health care in the interests of so-called bipartisanship:

"Here is what we don't want:

-We DO NOT WANT any more coddling of Republicans. Cut them out. They don't play fair. They weaken the bills with their amendments and still don't vote for the bills.

-We DO NOT WANT the bill to make the for-profit insurance industry stronger and more powerful. We want for-profit insurers to have to COMPETE with the public plan option, which we know, through the experience of Medicare, will be more efficient and equitable.

We want the PURPOSE of the bill to ensure that ALL Americans have comprehensive coverage that is affordable, provides them with access to the effective care they need when they need it, controls costs, and promotes their health. Period.
We are in the fourth quarter of this game, Mr President. We are so grateful that you have put yourself into the game, even though it is the last quarter and the minutes are ticking down. What will you do, Mr. President? So many people are counting on you. So many of us have put our faith and trust in you. So many of us having been waiting a lifetime for a President who will take back the soul of this country and be concerned for the welfare of its people. We believe you are the one.

Will you weave down the court and dunk it? Will you go for the three pointer and assure a win? We have seen you do it before. Will you pass the ball to another member of your team who is in the right position to make a basket before the buzzer rings? Or will you lose control and lose the game."

Gotta love that: weave down the court and dunk it

And really gotta love the warning of an alternative: Or will you lose control and lose the game?

Way to go, Dean.

Tell it to The Man.

And give Americans what Canadians have: a good, state-sponsored healthcare program.