It's not the plan, it's the message. That's where we've run into problems in the Healthcare reform debate. While polls all indicate strong support for a public option, and various other progressive healthcare reform ideas, it's not translating into support of the various Democratic proposals which incorporate a public option into their legislative initatives. Part of the problem is that any new plan on any subject can be politicked to death by praying on people's fear of the unknown and uncertainty. And when you have an opponent so willing and eager to resort to this tactic, you have a recipe for gridlock that leads to failure. That's what makes, "Medicare for all", such a brilliant message. It is neither new nor unknown, so it's not vulnerable to these tactics. And it also achieves our objectives. It's a message I hope the administration understands and utilizes.
I'm not sure I buy the title of the front page story, "Insurance lobbyist blasts Dean's 'Medicare option' compromise". I actually got a deer in the headlights impression watching the response of the insurance company lobbyist Karen Ignani. And the transcript is quite revealing. Ignani uses phrases like, "it's a fair question", "we ought to have a fair debate" and "We would be concerned". This is really quite tempered, hardly damning. I think the last thing the insurance companies want to see is a debate over the merits of medicare versus private insurance. They want the focus to stay on death panels, the government getting between you and your doctor, socialized medicine and the rationing of healthcare. And I think Ignani was immediately aware of the dilemna she was facing. She clearly was not sure what approach to take.
The idea of opening up Medicare to anyone willing to pay for it has been around for some time, but it really has not been a prominent part of the debate. It was pointed out by Jed Lewison that even Max Baucus had at one time played with the idea. Today it was Dr. Nancy Snyderman, on MNBC, who brought the subject up, in a question to Howard Dean. Wisely Dean immediately embraced the proposal without qualification. I think the administration would be wise to do so also. If they were smart, they would even give credit to Dr. Snyderman, removing it somewhat from the political realm. They could even mention Max Baucus thought it was a pretty good idea at one time. Judging by the amount of play this topic has received during the day, not only on Kos, but also on the news and talk radio, I think it has strong legs.
Obama has positioned himself perfectly to adapt this proposal. He has said he is open to any idea that helps achieve the goal of affordable coverage for all, and he is married to none. If people are uncomfortable with the current formulations of a public option, and they would be more ammenable to a medicare like approach, it's okay with him. This is a debate we want. Let the Republicans condemn and try to fear monger medicare. Let them rail about medicare being socialized medicine. Obama is in a perfect position to let everyone see he is trying to solve a problem and will consider any good option no matter where it comes from.