Health Care Co-Op Idea Could Be Bi-Partisan Solution
By Justin Gardner | Related entries in Democrats, Health Care, RepublicansI have to say, I’m intrigued by the framework of this plan because it creates community specific ownership that has worked time and time again for other needed public services. Also, it’s nonprofit, which I think is essential to any public health care option.
WASHINGTON (AP) — A potential compromise emerged Wednesday on one of the most vexing issues of the health care overhaul debate — whether to create a new government-sponsored health plan to compete with private insurers. The compromise offered by Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., would create health care cooperatives owned by groups of residents and small businesses, similar to how electric or other cooperatives operate.They’d be nonprofit, and without the government involvement that troubles Republicans and business groups about the public plan options.
The chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, Sen. Max Baucus of Montana, said Wednesday the idea could be key to a bipartisan health bill. Baucus raised it in a meeting with President Barack Obama, saying later that Obama showed interest. Baucus’ Republican counterpart, Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, also said the concept had potential.
So why a compromise if Dems have the majority?
Because the Dems’ proposal of a government-sponsored health care institution will be vilified by the right since they feel it’s designed to drive insurance companies out of business and lead to a single-payer system. Those fears aren’t necessarily unfounded, but that would be a LONG way down the road if it happened, if at all.
This is why Conrad’s plan is so intriguing. Because while it’s funded by the federal government initially, it’s only seeded by the federal government and eventually becomes decentralized and community owned. Hard for Republicans to disagree strongly with that notion since it fits into their ideology and the free market hasn’t been able to provide for the 40M+ without health insurance. And Obama is probably interested because it fits into his experience as a community organizer.
Still, how likely is this to succeed when Senator Kennedy’s plan enjoys a massive amount of support?
That’s the $2 trillion question.
More as it develops…
This entry was posted on Thursday, June 11th, 2009 and is filed under Democrats, Health Care, Republicans. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
June 11th, 2009 at 3:42 pm
“designed to drive insurance companies out of business”
Actually that’s one of my requirements for a solution. I’d dance a jig on their graves and defecate on their tombstones.
June 11th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
It should be noted that the Canadian healthcare system basically grew out of its co-operative movement. PDF.
June 11th, 2009 at 7:10 pm
I’d dance a jig on their graves and defecate on their tombstones.
I’ll grant you the jig, but geez, don’t create more health problems!
June 11th, 2009 at 9:15 pm
I’ll bring the whiskey and dance with you guys.
In the meantime I’ll drink to the Republicans remembering their ideology.
I’m interested to see how the right responds to this if it gets any traction.