Health care mess

This blog has a diverse readership, so the question seems appropriate. Are any of you happy with the health care bill that is about to pass the Senate?

Liberals hate it because there is no public option and abortion funding is limited. Conservatives, if they want any reform at all, don’t like it because it doesn’t include any tort reform, it costs too much, it forces people to buy insurance or face a fine and it still allows federal funding for abortions under some circumstances. (There are many other reasons on both sides, too, I realize.)

If you live in Nebraska, you might be happy. That state gets federally funded expanded Medicaid forever, as opposed to three years for every other state. That’s because Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska was smart enough to hold out for awhile.

Further compromise lies ahead, of course, as the differences between the House and Senate versions are ironed out.

No matter what you may think about the need for reform, this process shows that politics on the federal level is not the way to get it. I think states would stand a much better chance of enacting something meaningful.