Progress Now Action

I waited with baited breath at the CAP/SEIU debate to hear what the Democratic candidates had to say about the health care crisis in this country. With the exception of Dennis Kucinich and John Edwards, no one offered a comprehensive plan to address the problem. They all “felt our pain.” I am sorry but that is no longer enough.

The most disappointing was Barak Obama – primarily because I want to like him so much. (Disclosure: I even sent him a check.) When a member of the audience noted that Mr. Obama’s website contained no serious discussion of how he would address the problem, all he could say was, “Our campaign now is a little over eight weeks old.” How long have we known about the health care crisis? How many millions of dollars has Mr. Obama collected? How long has he been in political office? I believe Mr. Obama is currently a member of the U.S. Senate. If, as he says, the health care crisis is the most important domestic issue facing this country, what is and has he been waiting for? The time to show his “leadership” is now. Don’t ask the American people to wait.

In a very close second place was Hillary Clinton – but this may be because my expectations are so low. She spent most of her time whining about how hard it was in 1994. All she could offer was a series of minor band aides, which completely failed to address the underlying problem that a vast sector of the populous cannot afford health insurance and that employers are being bankrupted by the rising cost of the premiums.

While it may not be as much fun as kicking Scott McInnis or Bob Schaffer, the availability of affordable heath care is far more important.

For those of you who don’t know it, a commission to study health care proposals and report to the legislature is in full swing - 208 Commission. They are conducting hearings to receive comments from the public about what needs to be done. Formal proposals for consideration by the commission are due April 1, 2007.

Some very good people at Health Care for All Colorado have put together a proposal for a single-payer system to be submitted to the commission. They have done a very comprehensive job. (Even preparing proposed legislation for those detailed oriented of us who believe that the devil is always in the details.) I highly recommend that everyone read their proposal and give them your comments.

As important - SEND THEM MONEY! They will be facing an array of insurance company and health care industry opponents who have virtually unlimited resources.