Ah! It’s Health Insurance Reform. This makes a big difference in how we debate health care. There are issues related to the “care” and there are issues related to the coverage [read costs.] Perhaps “Health Insurance Reform” should’ve been articulated long before the August deadline was set; though big insurance would probably interpret that as a direct attack. As this blog mentioned earlier, it’s tough taming the market but not impossible.

Truth is, the longer we wait to reform the “Heath Insurance” system, the more it will cost. That’s just common sense logic. As for “Health Care,” a quality and quantitative issue, there are problems across the board, ask anyone who uses the system often, i.e. seniors, people with chronic health conditions, or are under going treatment towards a cure. But the interesting news is bad happens to everyone regardless of whether you can pay, pay more (doesn’t always mean better), or not pay at all.

The President’s Weekly takes on “Health Insurance Reform.” The message is aimed at small business owners and the difficult choices and challenges under the current system. Some people are nervous about having to go into an “exchange” to pick and choose a plan. But hey, no one’s confused when it comes to buying car insurance – required in most if not all states.

Last night on Bill Moyers Journal, Moyers hosted an interesting talk on the health care debate with Dr. Marcia Angell, editor-in-chief of the New England Journal of Medicine; and Trudy Lieberman, a health and medicine journalist. You can see or read the interview here.

A few things have emerged from this debate:
– Republicans appear more interested in winning elections and being in power than helping the country. The “Waterloo” comment sent that message loud and clear. Does not reflect well on the party.
– There are mixed messages and no clear breakdown of what “the plan” or “bill(s)” is/are. To be accurate, none of the bills from the Democrats in the House or Senate are The President’s Bill from the President’s desk. But what does the President support in the bills/acts? This too is a “teachable moment.” But we all need to know what’s what before summer recess.
– To answer the question “What is the President willing to lose his cool over?” I think it’s pretty clear “health care” is on the list.