This is what we were waiting for?
Before Congress took the month of August off (don't you wish you got as much vacation time?), all the requisite committees in the House of Representatives completed a draft of a health care reform bill. The same was true over in the Senate, with one exception. The Senate Finance Committee, chaired by Democrat Max Baucus of Montana said it needed more time.
But, said the man often cited as one of the best cross-aisle negotiators in the Congress, given a little more time he could do what no one else had; put forth a truly bipartisan reform plan. So we spent weeks hearing about the Gang of Six, Baucus plus two other Democrats and three Republicans, who were working 'round-the-clock on the legislation.
With President Barack Obama apparently unwilling to step into the health reform debate until the Baucus Six had completed their work, August was left to the naysayers who went to town attacking every proposal, trial balloon or suggestion in sight.
Finally, Senator Baucus strolled up to the cameras to unveil the long-awaited document and as he walked into the room I could not help but think he looked more like Max Smart than Max the great negotiator. He was so obviously alone. Not only were there no Republicans by his side. The other two Democrats were nowhere to be seen either.
We should have been prepared for this. One Republican in the group, Charles "Chuck" Grassley of Iowa, had been saying for a year that he wouldn't support a plan with a "public option", that is, a government sponsored health insurance program. Grassley's complaint was that a public option would put the private insurance companies out of business.
But even in the face of a Des Moines Register poll indicating his constituents want him to compromise with the Democrats, Grassley has been unwilling to support a plan without a public option!
Another Republican, Olympia Snowe of Maine, was said to be in almost constant contact with the White House and in frequent conversation with President Obama. She too had concerns about a public option, and reportedly wanted a "trigger" in the plan which would give the insurance companies up to five years to change their practices. And of course continue to increase their profit margins and executive compensation. Only if they failed to meet certain criteria after five years would a public insurance option be created.
The Baucus plan has no public option at all. But neither Snowe nor Grassley are supporting it. Nor is Wyoming Republican Mike Enzi, who once explained his presence in the Six by telling reporters, "If you're not at the table, you're on the menu." Now he is just awol.
And where were the other two Democrats? Kent Conrad of North Dakota likes the idea of insurance co-ops. The Baucus plan would set up these in every state, but Conrad was not at Baucus' side as he presented his draft. Jeff Bingaman of New Mexico has called access to health care a basic right, and favors a government run insurance plan. He didn't make an appearance at the unveiling either.
It appears that the Baucus plan contains something to offend just about everyone. Judging from the tepid reaction it received, the long wait was a waste of time. Now it will be up to the leadership in both houses of Congress to fashion compromise bills which can be brought to the floor. Say what you will, and her critics certainly have, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is expected to get something ready for debate in short order.
Over on the Senate side, observers have less confidence in Majority Leader Harry Reid's ability to put it all together. In fact, a one-liner making the rounds suggests Reid check his own insurance policy and see if it covers the spine transplant some think he needs before he tackles the task at hand. I can't answer that question, but I do know the insurance options for a member of Congress are better than most.
