If the Obama administration is going to pass a health care reform bill that meets Americans' expectations, all sides must be heard and all negotiations and arguments need to be made before media cameras.
It's about transparency -- why can't our lawmakers understand the need for that! If Congress hatches a final health care reform plan in secret and hurries it through, the new law will not be embraced by most Americans. We are tired of pols ignoring us with the condescending admonition that they know what's best for us.
Transparency's not happening right now. The only -- barely -- bipartisan bill with a reasonable chance of success is the Senate Finance Committee's bill. The "Baucus bill" is scored, albeit with incomplete data, as deficit-friendly by the Congressional Budget Office.
The Baucus bill also has its tiny -- but symbolically important -- Republican support. Debate over the Baucus bill was also aired live. People were able to witness much of it being debated.
However, literally within hours of the Baucus bill's passing, insurers, pharmaceutical firms, labor unions, doctors and Democratic Party lawmakers were already angling to re-create the bill into whatever Frankenstein monster each interest group most prefers.
And negotiations between the Obama White House and congressional Democrats are being held in secret with only minimal Republican input. This is hardly the transparency President Obama promised America nine months ago upon assuming office.
Look, no one is claiming the Baucus bill is perfect. Even with its claimed scores of billions of dollars in savings to the deficit over 10 years, it leaves 25 million people in America without health insurance. It also rejects a public option health insurance plan that is supported by most liberals and a significant number of members of Congress. We assume there is fierce infighting going on over a public option inclusion. It is supported by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., as well as powerful Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va.
Also, unions, that have donated scores of millions of dollars to Democrats, are furious about a tax on luxury health care plans in the Baucus bill ($8,000-plus for an adult or $21,000-plus for a family). These so-called "Cadillac plans" are a staple of negotiated plans for many union workers. Unions won't give them up without a huge fight. The unions' congressional allies are trying to get rid of that part of the Baucus bill.
There is also a big fight going on over how much savings the pharmaceutical industry should pledge over 10 years. The industry has promised $80 billion in savings over 10 years. Critics want a higher pledge. And Medicare advocates will be haggling over the bill's claims that $400 billion-plus can be squeezed out of Medicare over 10 years.
All these debates are necessary before a final bill is voted on. But they shouldn't be done behind closed doors. A better-informed public is an asset for Congress. And once a deal is reached, there should be sufficient time to read the final bill and have a robust debate. We need a national consensus for health care reform to succeed.
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