Health Care Now

[biopowertoday]

This was written before the social programs were pulled from the Stimulus bill.
But, I agree, Health care must be pushed NOW before it is too late.

……………….
January 30, 2009
Op-Ed Columnist
Health Care Now
By PAUL KRUGMAN



..........Finally — and this is, I suspect, the real reason for the administration’s health care silence — there’s the political argument that this is a bad time to be pushing fundamental health care reform, because the nation’s attention is focused on the economic crisis. But if history is any guide, this argument is precisely wrong.

Don’t take my word for it. Rahm Emanuel, the White House chief of staff, has declared that “you never want a serious crisis to go to waste.” Indeed. F.D.R. was able to enact Social Security in part because the Great Depression highlighted the need for a stronger social safety net. And the current crisis presents a real opportunity to fix the gaping holes that remain in that safety net, especially with regard to health care.

And Mr. Obama really, really doesn’t want to repeat the mistakes of Bill Clinton, whose health care push failed politically partly because he moved too slowly: by the time his administration was ready to submit legislation, the economy was recovering from recession and the sense of urgency was fading.
One more thing. There’s a populist rage building in this country, as Americans see bankers getting huge bailouts while ordinary citizens suffer.

I agree with administration officials who argue that these financial bailouts are necessary (though I have problems with the specifics). But I also agree with Barney Frank, the chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, who argues that — as a matter of political necessity as well as social justice — aid to bankers has to be linked to a strengthening of the social safety net, so that Americans can see that the government is ready to help everyone, not just the rich and powerful.
The bottom line, then, is that this is no time to let campaign promises of guaranteed health care be quietly forgotten. It is, instead, a time to put the push for universal care front and center. Health care now!

[area51]

1. K&R

Every day, 273 people die due to lack of healthcare in the U.S.

We need single-payer healthcare NOW.

[TheBigotBasher]

2. The weakness of Reid had made me think about health care

He is terrified of not getting sixty, when a simple majority does. All because of the filibuster. So he goes cross party. He should not need many as the elctorate did us proud, but Reid is Reid. What makes that harder is not having Franklin seated. An extra Rethug is needed, which means more compromise at the expense of poor America.

With Reid so weak - and the Obama health plan already a compromise position, can you imagine what it would come out of the Senate looking like?

So although yes - now for health care reform. That is now, but wait just a teensy bit.