“Button, button, who’s got the button?” is an out-moded children’s game involving concealment and chicanery much like the current “hot-button” issue of health care reform. The difference of course is that this issue isn’t child’s play, but in an ironical way, it is about children. While political pundits, special interest groups and the majority of concerned citizens are involved in heated debate on this topic, it is critical that we consider the impact of our decisions on those who are without voice in the controversy. Misinformation, disinformation and no information clouds what is already a very murky issue. Children must rely on the wisdom and mature judgment of adults, especially children who currently depend on society for much needed medical and dental assistance. They are a vulnerable population who would suffer the most if we as a nation don’t get health care reform right. This is far more than the very real and valid arguments concerning spiraling long-term health care cost projections associated with current versions of impending “reform” legislation. It is an equally cogent point that our existing “safety net” for children of the underserved and disadvantaged may well be in jeopardy.
The very term “health care reform” seems to ignite anger, fear, enthusiasm and many other passionate responses. Among our political elite, this issue may very well join social security as the “third rail of politics,” so politically charged that touching it could be political suicide. In the end let’s hope that this is the case and that we can avoid catastrophe resulting from ill-conceived and hastily crafted legislation. Perhaps a more tempered approach will prevail. What is urgently needed is a revised agenda that clearly identifies the problem, enacts required constructive modifications and does not feed the massive appetite of an already protuberant federal and state bureaucracy. Health care reform has become a “wedge issue” at a time when we need a unity of effort, lest we forsake our heritage of “promoting the general welfare.”
The debate should begin with a clear definition of what the end-state of health care should be and who should be made responsible. Historically, states have set their own welfare policy agenda. Under the Constitution, the federal role in, child welfare in particular, is limited. Ideological debates have no place as it applies to our most precious posterity and legacy, our children. The Louisiana Children’s Healthcare Insurance Program (LCHIP) is a very good example of a bi-partisan approach to insuring the well being of our children. Health care can not be a “one size fits all model.” States and regions have unique populations and require latitude in health care servicing models. Somewhere along the way “these United States” became “the United States.” We are separate but equal states. The federal government accrues its authority from the states which, in turn, are responsive to “we the people.” In the case of health care, let’s make the right people worry about the right things. Health care is a state responsibility requiring federal assistance to “promote the general welfare.” Notice that the word promote is used in our Constitution, not the word provide.
In such complex issues as health care it is best to review our nation’s history and find the intent of our “Founding Fathers.” They envisioned a Republic comprised of individual states under the articles encompassed within the sovereign laws of the nation. As President John Adams proclaimed, “Our Constitution (penned in the ‘City of Brotherly Love,’ Philadelphia) was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” Therein lies the problem and the solution. We are a Christian nation with an abiding trust in a Judeo-Christian God. As President George Washington stated, “It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and Bible.”
As President James Madison noted, “It is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian forbearance, love and charity towards each other.” Those who profess a Christian value system as did President Thomas Jefferson please note his words, “I am a real Christian, that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus,” then read Matthew 25: 31-46. In the words of Jesus the Christ “…I tell you whenever you refused to help one of these least important ones, you refused to help me.” Even non-Christians should take note and be influenced by this revealing passage from the Holy Bible.
The God of our fathers posed a question to Cain who replied, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” The same question is asked today of us. Yes, we are all our brothers’ keepers but, pardon the expression, “the devil’s in the details.” The current system of health care and protection of our most vulnerable population, the children, is broken. In fact it is hemorrhaging due to waste, fraud, abuse and an unwillingness to admit the system’s flaws much less the corrective actions required. We much allow for serious tort reform (the out of control cost of malpractice insurance is a national disgrace), transportability of medical insurance, universal group coverage, tax credits, elimination of duplicative delivery systems, unchecked overhead expansion and elimination of welfare fraud and abuse, just to name a few issues. The stakes are high and the “players” ruthless. Now is not the time for a bunch of silver tongues to try to sell government snake oil! Let’s demand a new approach based on common values and accountability contained within our belief system and laws. Uncorrected fraud and abuse of the system will, in short order, bankrupt our nation, and the life we now enjoy will be destroyed. There are economies and efficiencies that can be gained within health care now, but we must go beyond health care and address the larger and even more ominous issue of all entitlement programs before it’s too late. Let’s insure that, as one anonymous American once said, “Welfare should be a safety net not a hammock.” Our children are counting on us and we must be their voice. May God guide us in this quest. It is high time for leadership! While not politically correct, like always, my two cents for what it’s worth.