Barring some unforeseen intervention, the country will soon have a law which will fundamentally change how the health care of the nation’s citizens is provided and paid for.
And if the final legislative compromise between the Senate and House health care versions is enacted with substantially all of the provisions sought by the party in power, this massive new law will be the weighty responsibility of the Democrats to see that it lives up to its promises.
The divide is clear. The Democrats say the new law will provide better health care at lower costs for more people. The Republicans vehemently think otherwise, taking the position that it will cost more, threaten the nation’s economy and deprive the nation of what is best in medicine.
In this situation, we see not only fundamental changes in the nation’s health care system, which represents some 16% of its economy, but a marked difference in how the two major political parties regard the role of government.
Members of both parties share an interest in the health and welfare of the citizens who elected them. But one side generally sees government as an overall agency to provide for people. The other side generally sees the nation’s citizens as benefiting more from the exercise of the free enterprise system stressing individual responsibility.
In no way does this simplified description reflect the attitudes of all the members of the two parties, as is evident from the current disagreements among elected party members. But it is a quick summary.
Also more of a national factor now are the several new or invigorated political movements which don’t particularly like either party, in particular in respect to the party members in Washington.
It should be added that the process by which the health care legislation was pushed through the Congress hardly represents the best example of legislative procedure. Nevertheless, history will judge how fair and balanced the new law is, and if it works well those responsible can and should take the bows.
But if it does not it is the responsibility of voters to change things. And they will.
