| Not only is America home to people from all over the world, we also have health care systems from all over the world. We're part Canada (Medicare), UK (The VA), Japan (Employer-based health insurance), Germany (Individual insurance, but with much less protections), and the developing world (the Uninsured).
It makes sense to Chris when he hears things like "I don't want the government messing with my Medicare" or "I don't want the government to take away the insurance I get through my employer." These statements are flawed, but they arise from the confusion of our system.
Person 2: Fran the Free-Market Friend
Fran has thought a lot about health care, and has some intriguing ideas. She supports health reform, but not the leading Democratic proposals. She correctly notes that employer-based health insurance is really an accident of history and risks the competitive fitness of American businesses in a global marketplace. She correctly notes that most Americans will put far more money into the health care system (by way of forsaken wages, taxes, etc.) than they'll ever get out of it. She supports what's generally called consumer-driven health care. She likes HSAs and the Wyden-Bennett bill. She wants people to be "more responsible for their own health." She cares about the uninsured and poor, but her primary concern is costs (both to individuals and to the economy).
Person 3: Andy the Angry American
Andy has worked hard his entire life. Nevertheless, in the last 10 years he saw his real income decline. He & his neighbors make less money than their father's generation did . He acutely feels the costs of health care. He has been uninsured before and he knows he could be again at a moment's notice. He's been lucky not to be sick yet, but some of his friends have not been. He's seen the government give billions of dollars away to big banks when they were behaving irresponsibly. He's seen two Presidents pass huge stimulus packages, but can't point to any one thing that has done for him. He doesn't consider himself a racist, but he does wonder why the government seems all too willing to pay for the health care of people who don't work (Medicaid) and are here illegally. He's not sure if health reform would help him, but he knows it will help "those people" because that's what "big government" does. And he's worried that paying for the reform will mean a tax hike for him. At least the last president cut taxes, even if he did spend a lot.
Person 4: Michael the Menacing Manipulator
Michael has an election to win in about a year. Michael has TV ratings to build and advertisers to draw. In his deepest moments of silence, Michael may recognize the need for health reform for the good of the country, but #$^% it. It's in his best interest to stop it, and it doesn't matter how or why. You say comparative effectiveness research, he says "rationing!" You say cutting administrative costs by phasing out Medicare Advantage, he says "death panels!" You say regulation of health insurance companies, he says "government between you and your doctor!" You say subsidies for middle class families to buy health insurance and he says "tax & spend big government!" Michael is particularly good at taking advantage of Chris & Andy. Any thing that distracts or makes people angry (e.g. ACORN) will do. Michael has an election to win in about a year. Michael has a TV show to promote.
What Each Person Needs & Our Role
Chris the Confused Citizen needs reassurance & support. He needs to be reminded of how the system works (and how it doesn't) and how he would benefit. Chris may come around. The ideal person to interact with Chris: President Obama. He's calm, cool, and can take difficult concepts and explain them clearly.
Fran the Free-Market Friend needs to be included. Sometimes progressives don't want to hear what she has to say, but she may very well be right about some things. We could try some of her ideas as demonstration projects, perhaps at a state or regional level. The ideal people to interact with Fran: Senator Baucus & OMB Director Peter Orszag. But Fran better come with data and evidence; not just ideology. She needs to have more than just "government is less effective than the private sector."
Andy the Angry American is the hardest to reach. The fear, anger and resentment he has is deep-seated. It may be hard to have a conversation with him and stay civil and open-minded. Andy really needs acknowledgement that yes, he has been wronged. The policies of the people he voted for and admires did not help him. Andy needs a lot of love (not in a condescending way, but for real). The ideal person to interact with Andy: Martin Luther King, Jr. But he's not with us anymore, and I don't know who can replace him. This is the hard work of rebuilding America.
Michael the Menacing Manipulator needs to be called out for what he is: a fraud and a harm to society. There is no use bargaining with him, because he has no interest in improving this country. We need to show to Chris & Andy that Michael is not acting in their interests. Fran already does not like Michael, so don't lump her with him. The ideal person to interact with Michael: John Stewart. No one else in the media has been as clear and deliciously funny as the Daily Show in pointing out Michael's hypocrisy. It's not wise for the President to stoop to Michael's level, but other Democrats can and should do their part. Don't be wimps! |
