The Upside of Recess

If Congress does not pass health care reform legislation before the August recess, that probably increases the chances of sensible health reform legislation, because it will get elected representatives to understand better that the key priorities for Americans are to get the care they need from the doctors they want at a price they can afford.

To achieve these goals, the legislation will need to transform how doctors, hospitals and other providers are paid, to reward good low-cost care instead of activity, to eliminate system inefficiencies and to invest in improving public health.

The legislation presented so far is too focused on providing universal insurance and on various ways of increases taxes on people and businesses to pay for it, the wrong places to attack the problems Americans have with our current health care system. Elected officials need to understand that a publicly-administered universal health insurance plan does not equate to universal, affordable, high-quality care. In fact, if we increase the number of insured persons by tens of millions of people, but do not increase the supply of doctors and nurses, health care quality will degrade for everyone. Hopefully, elected officials will hear that from voters when they go home.

Opposition to current House and Senate bills is broad-based and bi-partisan, and is actually prioritizing issues as President Obama has, when he has spoken about "bending the cost curve." Think about it: it's hard to understand how health care can be more affordable when the independent Congressional Budget Office estimates that it will cost at least an additional $1 trillion.

The President has demonstrated finely tuned political instincts on other issues. The recess will give him to time to rethink his approach on this vital issue, and should increase the chances of legislation passing.

By Michael Critelli  |  July 28, 2009; 9:49 AM ET  | Category:  Health Care Reform , Health costs , Insurance , Presidential leadership , Public policy
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