Health Care: We are So Close

This week, Health Care for America Now (HCAN) and Connecticut Citizens Action Group (CCAG) are participating in a national effort sponsored by HCAN. All across the country, 300 health care forums are taking place with Congressional leaders as keynote speakers.

Each forum has a panel of three individuals who are involved with health care in various ways. What is unique about these forums is that the bulk of time of each event is allotted to attendees, allowing each person a chance to speak, ask their questions and be involved in the conversation.

On a national level, as the President continues to express his commitment to health care reform, there is growing support for single-payer health coverage as noted in an article, "Support for Single-Payer Health Coverage Widens," posted on the Progressive States Network.

Connecticut's Health Care Reform Conversation

The conversation to reform health care in Connecticut is fast taking on two views. One view, there are those who seek to take a firm and steady approach that "has a chance of winning." These folks have been at this juncture before. They have rallied to the cause and have seen their efforts dashed out for one reason or another. Determined to wait and fight another day has paid off -- this time in spades. One can taste victory in spite of the raw reality that Connecticut is often seen as the "insurance" state. Moreover, if Connecticut passes comprehensive health care reform (SustiNet), our state will be at the front of the line to receive federal health care funds and assistance. SustiNet is very much like the President's Plan.

No doubt, insurance companies will beef up their arsenals to fight to the end against any concept that will cause premiums to drop in price, thereby diminishing their profitability - even a gradual shift in that direction will be seen as a direct threat by insurance companies. While the President is pushing for lobbying reform in Washington, lobbying is still very much a way of life at Connecticut's legislature. For health care reform to come as close as it has in this environment in our state is remarkable, indeed. In addition, supporters of this plan do not want to allow this window of opportunity to close.

(We must ensure that insurance companies do not use tarp funds to lobby against health care reform.)

Another view, this past presidential campaign experienced the growth of a wide grassroots movement that empowered people into having hope and believing in change and realizing that change comes from within. For a significant amount of these individuals, translating the President's commitment on health care reform means that if they do not go for single-payer/non-profit health care reform, we will miss the opportunity to achieve this kind of reform.

At the end of the day, we need everyone at the table where we can air our views and unite around a viable strategy that will bring about health care reform in Connecticut. There is no doubt in my mind that we will not experience sustainable economic reform without first addressing health care reform. We must all find common ground.