It is clear that the final vote on health reform is far from certain.  The recent setback demonstrated that Democrats are not lock step on reform ideas. To be sure, the vote in question affected a vocal, important minority – physicians and other health providers.  A minority that votes, but whose numbers seem to fail to move most elected officials to any distinct action on their behalf.  It is also clear that the American people as a whole have lost a great deal of confidence in the administrations health reform plans.  A wide variety of polls, such as Gallop and Rasmussen indicate that more and more, Americans feel that their own costs will increase with the current reform plan and that they really cannot understand it without details.

Given that the current drafts being reported by the senate conference committee range between 1,500 and 2,000 pages, actually longer than the House version of almost 1,100 pages, is it any wonder that responsible citizens are skeptical.  The Congress has shown itself to be anything but responsible when it comes to spending and it appears to lack the leadership to accomplish anything meaningful for the country.  Real Health Reform as we have argued from day one, can be accomplished simply, easily and with minimal costs.  However, radical elements from the left in the Democratic party, exemplified by Speaker Pelosi, are determined to move to a nationalized system of health care, while being sure to exempt themselves the the Executive Branch from having to participate.  Ms. Pelosi is the modern day Marie Antoinette, spouting “let them eat cake” while she and her political cronies opt out of any participation in the potentially noxious stew they are brewing on health reform.

We know that all may not agree, but our “plan” has outlined meaningful steps, even a few of which if adopted would make a dramatic change in the health insurance picture for most Americans. Yet, out Congress and President are hell bent on a radical makeover, when simple, common sense, regulatory reform would accomplish most of what is needed.  We can only hope that someone will stand up and lead us to Real Health Reform  . . . obi jo

Democrats lost a big test vote on health care legislation on Wednesday as the Senate blocked action on a bill to increase Medicare payments to doctors at a cost of $247 billion over 10 years. The Senate majority leader, Harry Reid, Democrat of Nevada, needed 60 votes to proceed. He won only 47. And he could not blame Republicans. A dozen Democrats and one independent crossed party lines and voted with Republicans on the 53 to 47 roll call. The Medicare bill has become a proxy for larger issues in the debate over legislation to overhaul the health care system. Mr. Reid said the bill, by averting big cuts in physician fees, guaranteed that doctors would continue accepting Medicare patients. But since none of the costs were offset or paid for, Republicans said it was fiscally irresponsible, and some Democrats said they shared that concern.

Democrats Lose Big Test Vote on Health Legislation – http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/22/health/policy/22health.html?_r=1&emc=tnt&tntemail0=y

Senate Democrats Hit Snag With Doctor Payment Bill – http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/21/health/policy/21health.html?emc=tnt&tntemail0=y

Trust on Issues:Voters Trust Republicans More On 10 Top Issues – http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/mood_of_america/trust_on_issues

49% Say No Health Care Reform Better Than Current Plan – http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/current_events/healthcare/october_2009/49_say_no_health_care_reform_better_than_current_plan

In U.S., Half See Own Costs Worsening Under Healthcare Bill – http://www.gallup.com/tag/Healthcare.aspx

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