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Healthcare reform, now
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02/25/09 02:06 PM ET
It had been an open question, but President Obama answered it on Tuesday night.
For months, there had been debate about when Congress would pass comprehensive healthcare legislation. Former Health and Human Services Secretary nominee Tom Daschle had been pushing for sooner rather than later, but when he bowed out of consideration, the timetable seemed to stall too.
Some in the House, most notably Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.), indicated healthcare reform would wait until after 2009. But key members of the upper chamber, including Sens. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) and Max Baucus (D-Mont.), don’t want to wait.
Obama settled in on Tuesday by telling Congress, “Healthcare reform cannot wait, it must not wait, and it will not wait another year.”
The timing is important. Whatever bill Democrats craft will be controversial. If legislation doesn’t get going in 2010, an election year, it would probably crash on takeoff.
Reform has its best chance this year. Much of the groundwork has already been laid out because Obama has a detailed plan, as do leading congressional Democrats.
There are many details to be worked out, but passing healthcare reform can be accomplished during the 111th Congress.
Unlike 1993, many businesses are clamoring for a healthcare revamp. The insurance and pharmaceutical industries, which have battled Democrats on healthcare issues, are reaching out to Capitol Hill leaders.
For example, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America President Billy Tauzin calls health reform “a must-pass this year,” adding that policymakers cannot miss “this extraordinary opportunity” to fix the healthcare system.
But when Democrats advance their legislation, industry groups may change their tune. Even with Obama in the White House and bolstered Democratic majorities in the House and Senate, the road to getting an expensive healthcare bill to the president’s desk is filled with hurdles.
In his address, Obama vowed to fix the economy, pass a climate change measure and repair the nation’s education system.
It remains to be seen whether Congress can work on all these high-profile issues at the same time and achieve most of its goals. The Obama White House may decide later this year that it is stretched too thin and must narrow its focus.
Yet Obama made clear to America on Tuesday that his agenda will be bold and aggressive. There are many debates ahead, but the matter of when to act on healthcare is over. It’s happening now.
For months, there had been debate about when Congress would pass comprehensive healthcare legislation. Former Health and Human Services Secretary nominee Tom Daschle had been pushing for sooner rather than later, but when he bowed out of consideration, the timetable seemed to stall too.
Some in the House, most notably Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.), indicated healthcare reform would wait until after 2009. But key members of the upper chamber, including Sens. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) and Max Baucus (D-Mont.), don’t want to wait.
Obama settled in on Tuesday by telling Congress, “Healthcare reform cannot wait, it must not wait, and it will not wait another year.”
The timing is important. Whatever bill Democrats craft will be controversial. If legislation doesn’t get going in 2010, an election year, it would probably crash on takeoff.
Reform has its best chance this year. Much of the groundwork has already been laid out because Obama has a detailed plan, as do leading congressional Democrats.
There are many details to be worked out, but passing healthcare reform can be accomplished during the 111th Congress.
Unlike 1993, many businesses are clamoring for a healthcare revamp. The insurance and pharmaceutical industries, which have battled Democrats on healthcare issues, are reaching out to Capitol Hill leaders.
For example, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America President Billy Tauzin calls health reform “a must-pass this year,” adding that policymakers cannot miss “this extraordinary opportunity” to fix the healthcare system.
But when Democrats advance their legislation, industry groups may change their tune. Even with Obama in the White House and bolstered Democratic majorities in the House and Senate, the road to getting an expensive healthcare bill to the president’s desk is filled with hurdles.
In his address, Obama vowed to fix the economy, pass a climate change measure and repair the nation’s education system.
It remains to be seen whether Congress can work on all these high-profile issues at the same time and achieve most of its goals. The Obama White House may decide later this year that it is stretched too thin and must narrow its focus.
Yet Obama made clear to America on Tuesday that his agenda will be bold and aggressive. There are many debates ahead, but the matter of when to act on healthcare is over. It’s happening now.
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