So, another week has ended and members of Congress see the end in sight from a raucous August recess.
They are counting the days just as much as they are not sharing details of their own health insurance plans.
If congressional health insurance is the same as that for an average citizen, then the answer to the health care debate is simple: Put everybody on your plan. Game, set, match.
It is not that simple.
Take the public option issue. In seven days it has been on the table, off the table and semi-back on the table.
And when you send out the press secretary for the president to reassure the public that the administration has not backed off of a position, typically that is a good indicator that in fact the administration is backing away.
What have we learned this week?
Lincoln Davis, unlike his two fellow Tennessee Blue Dog Democrats — Bart Gordon and John Tanner — was willing to take the heat (literally) before constituents. The questions may have been tough for the 4th District congressman, but it was probably the physical heat in the Winchester, Tenn., meeting room that caused most of the sweating. Mr. Davis, however, outlined what he was against, prompting one questioner to ask him what he was for in the health care debate. Give Mr. Davis two thumbs up for his willingness to tour his district and engage one on one with those who cast a vote: the public.
Bottom line: no public option.
Bob Corker took the stage at Lee University in Cleveland, Tenn., and spoke on what politely should be termed as home turf. While Mr. Davis confronted people and voices for and against reform, the state’s junior senator heard from those who feel the government has gone too far in any number of areas. Mr. Corker called for a middle ground on health care reform, fixing the tax code and offering cooperatives. He has spent part of the recess in similar settings in other sections of the state.
Bottom line: no public option.
In reality not much has changed from week to week.
A public option as part of health care reform remains viable and will continue to be so until the Senate Finance Committee takes a first step to outline its vision of legislation.
Tennesseans have been able to see live, up close and in person a few of their elected members of Congress. Please keep in mind that Zach Wamp, the 3rd District congressman, is continuing to tour the state in his quest to be the GOP nominee for governor and does receive questions relating to his duties in Washington.
Team Obama appears to have found its voice, but mostly by putting the president on the road in a handful of Western states. Over the next several weeks, the health reform debate can take on a different form if the president is ready to step in, wrest the issue away from Congress, and assert leadership and discipline.
The public option, contrary to the hinting last weekend by the Health and Human Services secretary that is was not essential, has not been totally discarded by Team Obama, and it really has nothing to do with those who feel any
reform has to include the pressure that government can bring on lowering health insurance costs.
In the preface to the book on the give and take of politics, it clearly states that you do not give up something without getting anything in return.
Regardless of the mutterings of the HHS secretary, trial balloons in Washington are sold by vendors on street corners. The test of those that stay afloat is whether they are filled only with hot air (quite a few are).
Mixing and matching ideas in the cacophony of voices being heard at various August recess forums is the best means to test ideas. Some will remain, some will go away, and others will be modified.
The noise of reform has only begun.
To reach Tom Griscom, call 423 757-6472 or e-mail tgriscom@timesfreepress.com.
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