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associated press file
Nancy-Ann DeParle, director of the White House Health Reform Office, with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, left, and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill in October.
Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009 | 2 a.m.
Sun Archives
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- Report: Democrats reach deal to drop government-run plan (12-8-2009)
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- Long-sought , Harry Reid's goal of health care reform a step closer (11-19-2009)
- 2,074-page health bill includes surgery, payroll tax hike (11-18-2009)
- Harry Reid to present $849 billion health care bill (11-18-2009)
Sun Coverage
The White House’s top health policy adviser, Nancy-Ann DeParle, has been walking the halls of Congress since March, meeting with lawmakers one-on-one to discuss President Barack Obama’s signature domestic policy issue, health care reform.
The health czar was making progress — until July. She noticed the climate suddenly shifted. Republicans stopped taking meetings with her, she said, and canceled those that were booked.
Their offices would dial up hers to say the lawmaker “doesn’t see a need for a meeting, doesn’t have time,” DeParle recalled in an interview last week with reporters in Washington. She said several lawmakers told her they would like to work with the White House but could not break from their party.
“One took me aside this week and said, ‘Gee, looks like you’re going to be successful. I’m sorry that we didn’t work together, but I just couldn’t take it in my caucus,’ ” she said.
The lawmaker suggested that if the White House effort failed, perhaps they could work on another round. But the White House does not see a next time.
“No president will ever attempt this again,” said Dan Pfeiffer, the White House deputy communications director. The issue is too difficult and has dogged too many Democrats over the generations. “This is the last exit before the cliff.”
The latest version of the Senate health care bill includes a provocative new proposal: the ability for not-quite-senior citizens to buy insurance from Medicare — a potentially make-or-break element in a deal that has eluded the Senate for months.
Experts are split over whether this is a good idea or a dismal one, and over at The New York Times’ opinion section, the contributors at “Room for Debate” took up the question last week with zeal.
Allowing those 55 to 64 to buy into Medicare has been suggested for years, but never gained substantial traction, always put back on the shelf, as one contributor to The Times noted.
J. Michael McWilliams, an assistant professor of health care policy and medicine at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, wrote in The New York Times that the proposal may help stem rising Medicare costs if the uninsured in that age group can get treatment for chronic conditions sooner, rather than waiting until they are 65 to qualify for Medicare.
But Stuart Butler, an adjunct professor at Georgetown University and vice president of the conservative Heritage Foundation, warns that the steep premiums, as much as $8,000 a year, would be either too costly or require such hefty government subsidies as to make the option unworkable.
DeParle explains that this proposal is not similar to those of days past. It would not allow those near-seniors to buy in to Medicare directly, but rather would set up what she calls a pre-Medicare system managed by Medicare.
The new system would have a different premium structure, with rates adjusted as needed to keep the program solvent. Provider reimbursement rates, which have raised fierce concerns from doctors as too low under Medicare, would likely be adjusted upward.
For those concerned about Medicare taking more patients at a time when it faces its own financial solvency concerns,
DeParle said the two systems would be separate.
“It won’t have access to the Medicare trust fund,” she said. “Medicare will not bear risk for this.”
She anticipated 1 million uninsured 55- to 64-year-olds would sign up for this option. Estimates are 4.3 million in that age group are uninsured, according to the Urban Institute.
Republicans scoffed at the last-minute proposal as it leaked out last week, with Republican Sen. John McCain calling it a “Hail Mary” effort by Democrats desperate to pass the bill by year’s end.
Republicans say they have participated in the talks as much as possible, reminding that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid did much of the heavy-lifting behind closed doors. They rebut claims that they have not played well with others.
The Kaiser Family Foundation reports that polls show overwhelming support for an expansion of Medicare.
Yet whether this compromise seals the deal or is just another cliff along the Washington landscape remains to be seen.
The current Democrats view of working together and compromise is dependent on allowing the government to take control of health care. Their idea of helping is understanding "we won" to quote the President as he opened his arms to bipartisan action.
There was never a desire by the Administration, Reid, or Pelosi to work together for compromise unless it was to agree with them. They just don't understand.
It is sad that the Republican party has made this issue 100% political. Our health care system needs reform, and they don't even want to debate. Big Pharma, Big Insurance, and trial lawyers are taking too much $$ out of the system. The Dems and the President need to push and make this a moral issue, which it is. If we can afford the billions to send our brave troops to die in stupid worthless wars, then as a society we can afford to provide the health care basics to our citizens.
This country spend more on health care by far than any other country and yet we have poor health outcomes. The profit motive in the health care has proven to be ineffective for the citizens. We are the only industrialized country that does not have a single payer system.
The Republicans are walking away as it is useless for them to even try to add anything to the one way democratic senate. Look at Harry Reid, he'll close his doors to Republicans and then scoff at their inactivity. Just the kind of politician you want to re-elect. Now the Dems are threatening that this will be the only time we will be able to work on health care reform?
If Harry keeps his door open to only Democrates, his one way action will be brought into the light so all can see. Harry, you are becoming your own worst enemy.
Why don't Americans try taking care of themselves? That would be a good start, why isn't their own issues of morality and personal repsonsibility the real issues being driven home? It is not my responsibility to provide heatlcare to 30 million illegal immigrants inside the U.S. that are here illegally and not even citizens. It is not anyone's responsibility to provide healthcare to some fat puke, chain smoking, out of shape, drug addicted, pill popping, low life pervert. Why should I pay for those who have been raised with an entitlement attitude that I owe them something and they have done nothing to better their lives and contribute back to society?
If you want to fix the healthcare industry why not investigate and prosecute all the corruption within the insurance depts., the hospitals, and put an end to all the ambulance chasing lawyers?
Betonblack, isn't it against the law to take the law into your own hands. When one writes a letter to Harry telling him you don't agree in his deciding to sponsor the Dream Act '09, then you get a letter back from him thanking you for standing with him on sponsoring the dream act...
doesn't this tell you that he is only traveling on a one way street? These politicians are only worried about pleasing big business to get more money donated into their campaign funds.
The "Heath Care Czar" is an idiot. Our president has taken the position to shut out Republicans and snubb any ideas from them. He arrogance has divided the nation. Obama, not Bush is to blame. The "Health Care Czar" needs to buy a clue. Her boss is to blame. We know how this administration loves to access blame. This is the crap we get when Democrats are in office.
It doesn't matter what political party is in office or has control of the house or senate...they will NEVER see eye to eye and will ALWAYS cause problems & issues with the other party.
It has been going on for years, so get used to it and stop thinking it will EVER change.
Superbad is living up to her name this morning. She wants a single payer system as long as she is not the payer...
I think someone isn't telling the whole story. This administration has not tried to do anything in a bipartisan fashion. What good would it do for them to show up to the meetings with DeParle.
My guess is that the next article is going to say that the GOP won't meet with her because they are sexist and racist. This is a name calling and substance less administration. "The party of no, holocaust deniers, racists, astroturf, tea baggers, KKK, fear mongers, war mongers, haters, etcs. What other names do the libs call conservatives? I would love it if the left could attack substance and not name call.
Nancy-Ann DeParle is the Queen of Spades in the new deck of Obama Czar playing cards. Some highlights from the Card Czar: "Earned millions from private sector companies suspected of violating Medicare regulations... Has primary responsibility for $19 billion in Federal stimulus spending on Healthcare IT, having received substantial income from a major HCIT contractor."
http://www.czards.biz
DeParle can try to blame Republicans, but Americans are fed up with Czars in all forms.