The Health Care Debate: Then and Now

In light of President Obama's speech before a joint session of Congress this evening, it is pertinent to address information raised by the Chicago Sun-Times concerning the tactics used when discussing health care reform. The article noted a particular tactic implemented by then Illinois State Senator Barack Obama to counter the attacks of his colleagues. Interestingly enough, Obama accused his opponents of "fear-mongering," a term used heavily today when labeling conservative members of Congress, in 2004 and now accuses them of the same tactic in 2009. The article goes on to say that one of his main adversaries in the 2004 debate concerning his health care reform--who is now a member of Congress--charged him with socialism in his seeking of universal health care.

This example provides, as the columnist puts it, insight into the current debate on health care reform. Similar arguments and watchwords from 2004 are heard again in 2009 from those in both liberal and conservative camps. The 2004 health care debate in Illinois hit a wall due to massive costs for a universal program--the same problem persists in 2009. In 2004, Obama, the sponsor of legislation for health care reform, ended up settling for a task force to assess health care coverage in Illinois. I am in agreement with the Chicago Sun-Times columnist when she ponders the potential for an incremental approach by President Obama. Health care reform legislation currently in Congress will not pass as it is now written; however, the bill may be stripped of its controversial elements and passed as a first step for Obama to seek more advantageous reform.