Real Health Care Reform Is On The Move

We are still over two months away from President Obama's inauguration but that isn't stopping Democrats in Congress from surging ahead on solving our national health care crisis. Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) has released an incredibly, dare I say, universal program that goes above and beyond what Obama talked about on the campaign trail. That doesn't mean Obama won't go along with it though, so for those that stuck with Hillary over health care, your worries are going to be put to rest.

From The NY Times:

WASHINGTON — Without waiting for President-elect Barack Obama, Senator Max Baucus, the chairman of the Finance Committee, will unveil a detailed blueprint on Wednesday to guarantee health insurance for all Americans by facilitating sales of private insurance, expanding Medicaid and Medicare, and requiring most employers to provide or pay for health benefits.

Aides to Mr. Obama said they welcomed the Congressional efforts, had encouraged Congress to take the lead and still considered health care a top priority, despite the urgent need to address huge problems afflicting the economy.

The plan proposed by Mr. Baucus, Democrat of Montana, would eventually require everyone to have health insurance coverage, with federal subsidies for those who could not otherwise afford it.

This won't happen in the waning days of the 110th Congress, but President Obama will be ready to go in January when the 111th session starts. The bill is already picking up steam, with support from fellow Senator Kennedy (D-MA) and Representatives John Dingell (D-MI) and Pete Stark (D-CA). The plan consists of 35,000 words, or about 150-200 pages of detailed material that ensures many Americans get the health care they deserve. Krugman is already enthused about this development and for many good reasons, such as expanding S-CHIP and Medicaid.

It is a bold leap forward by a Democrat that usually doesn't coincide with progressive issues. Getting moderate Republicans on board is an obvious benefit to this endeavor. While the rabid righties might not sign on, it will still show an effort towards bipartisanship and still take advantage of the incredible mandate for change that the electorate showed us last Tuesday.