Is Health Care Reform Dead?



Posted: Wednesday, February 03, 2010

by Chuck Patti
NCD Medical

The Republicans won big in Massachusetts, mostly because the people there decided to be heard. They didn't like the health care reform legislation, they didn't like all the back room deals being made with Nebraska, Louisiana, Vermont, Florida, Trade Unions, etc. They didn't like the focus, which was not on the economy and unemployment and they didn't like the massive government spending that was going on without regard to a growing and immense national debt. So they spoke out and elected a Republican (actually an Independent that supports Republican policy) braking the filibuster proof majority in the US Senate, but more importantly reminding government elected representatives to understand that they represent the American people and if they do not support their views, they will be voted out of office.

Does this mean the Democrats are done and health care reform is dead -- not at all. What it probably really means is for the first time in a year, Republicans and Democrats will have to work together to pass legislation. This means there could be real bipartisan solutions discussed and aimed at getting the economy back on its feet. It could mean coming up with health care reform that will have input from both sides of the isle. The idea of Democrats ramming through an unpopular bill and the Republicans blocking it at every opportunity should now end. The fact of the matter is, this was probably the best thing that could have happened for all of us. The American people did not give the Democrats an unconditional green light to do what ever they pleased because they won big in the general election. They voted for change because they believed the direction the country was going under, President Bush, needed changing. However, I do not believe the change that the far left was attempting to initiate was what they were expecting or wanted.

The President was elected because he campaigned as a person who would govern from the center, a person who would reach across the isle to work out differences, a person who would promote transparency when debating policy, a person that would eliminate pork barrel spending and block lobby influence. Instead, we were getting far left policy with no attempt to work on a bipartisan basis, important policy discussion behind closed doors, large entitlement spending and an ever present lobby influence. But it is clear the President has also received the message. He and his administration appear to be working diligently on damage control. Focusing on the economy, the budget, Wall Street reform and other important issues Americans are demanding be fixed.

Was Massachusetts a great victory for Republicans? Not really. They still are no where close to a majority in either house and their policies must be modified to accommodate the American people. Their party is fragmented by the ultra-conservative Tea Party movement at odds with moderate Republicans. And if they don't take this opportunity to show the American people they can come up with good programs that will help this country recover from a terrible economy (through fiscal responsibility), support ending two unpopular middle eastern wars, and work with the President and Democrats, they will lose a great opportunity to prove they are more capable of governing than their counterparts.

Health care reform is alive if both parties get together and develop good solutions. If Representative Pelosi and Senator Reed attempt to railroad HR3200 through Congress with minimal change, one or two things might happen, the bill may not pass and/or Democrats will suffer tremendous losses in the 2010 and 2012 elections.

Charles Patti is President/CEO of NCD Medical Corp. and National Consulting and Development Corp.

Charles is based in northeast Ohio and has been in business since 1987.

His diverse background includes sales, engineering, and business management.

He has strong experience in Diagnostic Imaging Systems, Document Management Systems,

Main Frame Computer Systems, and Combustion Control Systems.

Charles J Patti, President/CEO

NCD Corporation


mailto:blog@ncdmedical.com

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