THE QUESTION
Health-Care Reform: Succeeding Through Roadblocks?
With his health reform initiative stalled, what general strategy should President Obama follow? Dramatically reduce the ambition of the reform effort? Try to muscle it through Congress with only liberal Democratic votes? Launch a full-blown national campaign, including attacks on the opposition, to build public support? Other ideas?
Posted by Ben Bradlee and Steve Pearlstein on July 27, 2009 11:26 AM
FROM THE PANEL
Stick With Pragmatism
As the political stakes intensify President Obama needs to stick with pragmatic, compromise-friendly approach, not retreat from it.
Posted by Bill Shore, on July 31, 2009 9:55 AM
Back to the Campaign Trail
To both pass hallmark legislation, and educate our citizenry, I recommend the president launches full-blown national campaign focused on the mandate and benefits of health care reforming and downplaying attacks on the opposition.
Posted by Gail S. Williams, on July 30, 2009 9:52 AM
The Message Is Missing
This president, with his enormous rhetorical gifts, has not found his voice on this central issue. It is that lack of message and lack of voice that has prevented him from marshaling his supporters and carrying the day.
Posted by Alan M. Webber, on July 29, 2009 4:13 PM
The Bill Is Not the Goal
Passing a bill is only a step. Substantive health reform is the goal.
Posted by Robert Goodwin, on July 29, 2009 4:05 PM
Obsessive Communication
Just as FDR spent more than a year winning bipartisan support for his Social Security Act, so Obama must keep communicating the importance of his health care plan.
Posted by Warren Bennis, on July 29, 2009 10:25 AM
Counter Crass Partisans
The president needs to aggressively counter the self-serving arguments of crass partisans and special interests, working actively with those in Congress, including fiscal conservatives, who are willing to roll up their sleeves to produce a meaningful plan.
Posted by Patricia McGinnis, on July 28, 2009 12:27 PM
Explain the Economics
Obama has allowed his opponents to frame the debate with stories about long waits for care and terms such as "socialized medicine." To gain the upper hand, the president must spell out a positive, big-picture vision that shows how reform would benefit society as a whole.
Posted by Yash Gupta, on July 28, 2009 10:51 AM
A New Harry and Louise
The White House's approach is missing those compelling stories that will help people understand, believe and remember the message: that reform is about helping the un- and under-insured.
Posted by Ed Ruggero, on July 28, 2009 10:46 AM
Set Smaller Goals
Obama should consider that he might be wrong in pushing a major initiative. During a recession a more modest set of goals may be more appropriate,
Posted by Slade Gorton, on July 28, 2009 10:41 AM
Take Cue from Clinics
There are health care centers in America that truly are the best in the world in terms of both quality and cost--Obama should examine how they work when trying to develop a fair, efficient health care system.
Posted by Michael Maccoby, on July 28, 2009 10:34 AM
The Wrong Pace
If Obama moves too fast on an issue like health care, constituencies will feel railroaded and dig in their heels. If he moves too slowly, he will miss an opportunity to transform the nation on a very important issue.
Posted by Barry Salzberg, on July 28, 2009 10:07 AM
We Need More Details
Obama needs to "recalibrate" his message to explain in detail the shared sacrifice needed to achieve the benefits he outlines for health care reform.
Posted by Kurt Schmoke, on July 28, 2009 9:51 AM
One Step at a Time
President Obama needs to pull back and refocus health care reform on the fundamental issue of rising health care costs, instead of forcing costly and unwieldy health care reform through the Congress.
Posted by Bill George, on July 27, 2009 12:43 PM
Some Don't Want Reform
It will soon be time for the president to acknowledge that despite heroic efforts by Senator Baucus in the Senate, and others in the House, that most Republicans' and some Democrats do not want real reform.
Posted by Andy Stern, on July 27, 2009 12:39 PM
Losing Control of the Debate
By ceding the terms of the discussion to the opponents, the Obama administration risks losing not only this battle, but a broader war about what criteria the U.S. should employ in making decisions about human well-being.
Posted by Jeffrey Pfeffer, on July 27, 2009 12:30 PM
Save & Share:
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