Proposed Federal HealthCare Plan State-Based

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The Janesville Gazette editorial staff is on a tear lately with bi-partisanship. I can’t remember when was the last time they opined on non-partisan issues without blasting democrats and liberals for their extreme views. So I was hesitant to comment on their editorial supporting not deriding a Feingold plan.

There does seem to be a trend happening with some right-wing supporters, news media and republican politicians lately. With the Bush Administration circling the drain, their supporters appear ready to jump ship from the hardcore partisanship practiced and preached by the Republican party, at least in appearance anyways. This all could be just an aberration.

For the second time in as many weeks, the Gazette threw cautionary support towards Russ Feingold. Both times, Feingold sponsored legislation with politicians the Gazette would lovingly refer to as conservatives, Rep. Paul Ryan and Sen. Lindsay Graham. This time Feingold is resurrecting an old health-care idea of his and if I recall correctly, the Gazette half-heartedly supported his idea last year but also reminded readers back then of his low power ranking in the Senate. That was when the Republicans held the majority, now Feingold is ranked 35th in the Senate and this time around the Gazette makes no mention of it.

On a related note, its worth mentioning here that Rep.Tami Baldwin is now ranked 160th in the House, while Paul Ryan with his prestigious role on the appropriations committee is ranked lower at 187. Ahhh, so much for power rankings.

One of the keywords repeated often throughout the editorial is the idea that Feingolds plan is a state program.

JG Editorial Excerpt:
Their State-Based Health Care Reform Act would launch five-year pilot programs in several states to cover the uninsured in the best way they fit. States could use Health Savings Accounts, single-payer systems, expand current programs or create new approaches. States would get great flexibility and need to meet only basic standards. States would provide some matching money and limited financial protections for low-income people, meet a baseline of coverage and expand coverage within the five-year period. States also would be expected to improve efficiency of health care spending and reduce administrative costs.

For the sake of supporting Feingold on this issue, I’m not going to argue about the Gazette’s view of Feingold’s healthcare plan. Let’s just hope that if it’s passed, it fares better than the last cost-effective and efficient state-based health related program Conservatives de-federalized, you know – Seniorcare.