They, they who are supporters, call the Senate’s health care reform bill the art of compromise. But the more accurate description is the science of corruption.
This bill is a clear case of malice aforethought designed not to benefit the nation but senators. This is obvious in a couple of ways.
First look at the individual carve-outs, including:
- $100 million for a medical center in Connecticut.
- Medicare coverage for residents exposed to environmental hazards near a community in Montana.
- Exemption for Florida residents from losing Medicare Advantage.
- And, of course, we have the exhibits of Louisiana and Nebraska.
Then there are the longshoremen. Yes, longshoremen, among others. From the Wall Street Journal:
Yet the Senate Majority Leader’s new version specifically exempts “individuals whose primary work is longshore work.” That would be the longshoremen’s union, which has negotiated very costly insurance benefits. The well-connected dock workers join other union interests such as miners, electrical linemen, EMTs, construction workers, some farmers, fishermen, foresters, early retirees and others who are absolved from this tax.
Second, look at the senators who made their pleas in favor of the bill during the cloture vote.
The senators’ misperceptions of how the market works – simply decreeing that there will be no charge for this test and no hike in that premium has nothing to do with whether a cost actually increases or who ultimately pays – notwithstanding, it was a sad display of egotism.
Some senators apparently are as unaware that there is no “i” in team as they are that there is no “i” in health care reform. Make that a capital “I”: a feature “I” inserted; a change “I” made; a benefit “I” insisted on. This is what was prevalent as they touted the benefits of “their” bill.
Granted, deals are made to pass legislation. And politicians are known for generous views of themselves.
But as some have said, if this bill is so critical to all of America, and it is so wonderful, why are such deals even necessary? And can we never expect our elected representatives to reach a higher moral standard? Can the bar not be raised?
The senators were right about one thing, though the idea goes further than their view of health care reform.
Americans do indeed deserve better; we deserve statesmen, not self-centered politicians looking to keep their perks through the next election.
