Dent: Health Care Reform, Like All Good Things, Should Come in Small Packages

In an eloquent address to Congress tonight, President Obama noted that there's already a consensus on eighty per cent of health care reforms. Now, he wants to deliver on a gigantic, thousand plus page, bill that allows Americans to keep existing insurance plans while establishing an "insurance exchange" to deliver affordable insurance to those not already covered. His rationale? It's the right thing to do.

“That large-heartedness – that concern and regard for the plight of others – is not a partisan feeling. It is not a Republican or a Democratic feeling. It, too, is part of the American character. Our ability to stand in other people's shoes. A recognition that we are all in this together; that when fortune turns against one of us, others are there to lend a helping hand. A belief that in this country, hard work and responsibility should be rewarded by some measure of security and fair play; and an acknowledgement that sometimes government has to step in to help deliver on that promise.”

Ironically, that's pretty much the same sentiment expressed by Republican House members during a blogger conference call conducted this afternoon. Chief Deputy Republican Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), Rep. Peter Roskam (R-IL), Rep. Judy Biggert (R-IL) and Rep. Charlie Dent (R-PA) were the participants, and all agreed our system needs a major overhaul. But what Charlie Dent and others proposed is a series of small bills to enact reforms now where there are areas of agreement. "We already have a bipartisan consensus on patient-centered care over government-centered care. We agree to incentivize. We agree on prevention and wellness and on coverage for pre-existing illness."

Dent's Tuesday Group, a coalition of centrists who first gained notoriety for challenging former President Bush's handling of the war in Iraq, already has a package of individual health care reform bills that separately address regulatory relief, individual tax breaks, malpractice limits, pooling, preventive care and promoting efficiency by computerizing patient records.

These Congressmen return to D.C. amazed by how their constituents react to the single-payer health care solution. "I have never seen anything like this with the engagement of the American people," remarked Rep. Biggert. She also questioned the 27 nationwide speeches that President Obama has already given to sell his health care reforms. "If it was good, you would not have to spend so much time selling it."

Congressman Dent warned that if the single-payer health bill passes, it will cost jobs here in the Lehigh Valley. He pointed to a major burn center that will have to close its doors. In addition, Guardian Insurance has told him that dental premiums alone will force the elimination of between 300 and 500 jobs. "This is a very big issue. It's 17 or18% of our economy."

So will Obama listen to these concerns? Is his door truly open, as he has promised?

Stay tuned.