Today’s Opinions And Editorials: A Litigation Explosion, Anthem Blue Cross And Starting Fresh
Start Fresh With What People Agree Upon Des Moines Register
What would a fresh start look like? It would begin with a new bill. Amending the 2,000 pages in either the Senate or House bill would prove to be impossible. They were born of an unseemly process and based on a premise already rejected by the American people. Language from the existing bills, in areas of agreement, could obviously be used to expedite drafting (Michael O. Leavitt, 2/11).
Opening Minds Or Closing Ranks Politico
President Barack Obama is summoning Democratic and Republican congressional leaders to a health care summit on Feb. 25. The president has already signaled that he will not discard the House and Senate bills, so Republican ideas remain in the wilderness. The meeting is apt to be more about digging in than opening up (Douglas Holtz-Eakin and Paul Howard, 2/11).
Don't Stop Now: Lawmakers Should Pass The Senate Bill Kaiser Health News
The fact that we still need a little heavy political lifting to take it over the finish line would hardly surprise Sen. Edward Kennedy, whose death ironically set in motion the political obstacles we now face. But he wouldn't tolerate our giving up (Judy Feder, 2/11).
Health-Care Reform Could Create A Litigation Explosion The Wall Street Journal
If he is sincere, the president should consider how the health-care bills his party has on the table right now will drive up the legal costs that are draining the health-care system we currently have. By creating new federally enforceable rights and obligations, layers of complex federal regulations, and dozens of new programs and agencies - not to mention 50 newfangled "exchanges" - ObamaCare would guarantee a flood of litigation. That means more money wasted on attorney fees, physicians focused on legal rather than medical considerations, and growing delays in our already-overburdened courts (Curt Levey, 2/10).
Let's Talk: The Nation Needs The Conversation On Health Care Obama Proposes. So Do Republicans Houston Chronicle
What happens if Republicans decide to sit this one out? They're almost sure to be the losers if they choose that path. Those independents who the pollsters say are starting to lose faith in Obama aren't going to be attracted to a party that's a no-show on such a decisive national issue. The Republicans really will come across as the "party of no," and they'll deserve every withering word of criticism the Democrats can muster (2/10).
Reform, Meet Anthem Blue Cross Los Angeles Times
With the pending healthcare bills proposing new limits on premiums and profits, the Anthem increases look suspiciously like an attempt to extract as much as possible from customers before the rules change (2/11).