Saw a specialist today. Terrific doctor about my own age who took a closer look, did a thorough exam, and calmly talked about the diagnosis and some options. Nothing major, it turns out. So after my exhale of relief - and appreciation for his unrushed and thoroughly professional manner - we got to talking about healthcare reform.
This guy is a big Obama backer. Got in early during the primary. Raised money. Hosted events. Did the online thing. A passionate supporter.
He is also, it turns out, a big believer in the total destruction of the way Americans pay for healthcare - a big reinvention toward a more Canadian-like single payer system (he's originally from Canada). Fewer unnecessary tests. Better doctors. More time spent per patient. No more entrepreneurial medicine.
And he's worried. "I think Obama is too cautious," he said. Here he has incredible popularity numbers and a thoroughly Democratic Congress, yet the President isn't ramming healthcare through. He's nibbling. "I understand and appreciate his instinct to want to listen to everybody in the equation," said the doc. But he's worried the big healthcare reform moment is slipping away. That letting Congress take the lead was a mistake. "It's time to act."
I tend to agree - and I also think that if the Administration doesn't get out in front and use its massive political capital (including unleashing the vaunted but untested Organizing for America troops) to push through what Obama promised thousands of times would be the signature achievement of his Presidency.
Or not.
And that would be a recognizable failure several times greater than that of Bill Clinton, who at least tried before failing.
Recommended reading:
Politico: Obama health plan imperiled
Ezra Klein: The Finance Committee's "Comprehensive Incrementalism"
