Posted 7:38 PM by steve

The conservative's guide to defeating Obamacare...

First, let's lay out the playing field. Most people have health insurance and while they're not completely happy, what they want more than anything else is to keep from losing their coverage, or having their benefits slashed or having to pay more for their coverage (whether through higher premiums or co-pays). To the extent that those with health insurance are dissatisfied with their current coverage, their big concerns are, in order: their out of pocket costs (premiums, co-pays and expenses for whatever isn't covered by insurance), the administrative hassle of dealing with insurance companies (referrals, getting the insurance company to cover a particular treatment, etc.), and the fear that they could lose their insurance (through job loss or employers ceasing to provide coverage) and, with it, their health care.

As for the so-called 'uninsured', while some of them would certainly like coverage, some do not (unless it's free, as they're making the choice to go without coverage n favor of a pay-as-they-go plan)... but in any event, the number of these people pale in comparison to the people with coverage who care about the uninsured only to the extent that their own coverage and health care won't be negatively impacted.

Thus, the key to defeating Obamacare is convincing the people with health insurance that Obama's proposals will NOT help them but will instead cost them more and will result in lesser coverage. Make these people scared enough and they'll flood Capitol Hill with protests so strong that anybody to the right of Nancy Pelosi will dread the consequences of backing Obama.

And how to do this?

Remind the public that government can't do anything cheaper than the private sector, hat as expensive as coverage is now and as much of a hassle it is now to deal with an insurance company, it will be 10 times worse if the government gets more involved. Scare the public by claiming that providing coverage to the uninsured will make their own coverage more expensive. Scare them by telling them that, contrary to Obama's claims, their taxes will go up as Obama searches for revenue to pay for coverage for the uninsured (and back that up with examples of the times Obama has backed away from earlier pledges).

And they really scare the public by arguing that Obamacare will result in their employers dropping coverage and dumping the responsibility onto the government provided plan... with them getting screwed in the process.

It will also help if the GOP has some proposals of their own (if for no other reason, than to answer Obama complaints that the GOP is just saying NO). Passing legislation that allows for more competition (by eliminating state restrictions and mandates) among insurance providers will lower prices for those with coverage. Allow small companies and individuals the ability to more easily band together to get group rates. Taking on plaintiff attorneys (by cutting their cut of the proceeds of any award, increasing the standard of proof) will reduce the administrative costs and malpractice insurance expense borne by doctors and, with it, keep medical costs from rising as fast as they have. Speeding up drug approval at the FDA will help get people better and at a lower cost than with existing treatments.

This issue has the potential to breathe new life into the GOP... provided the GOP picks up the ball and does just a marginally competent job of running with it.