August 17th, 2009

Writes U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak (D-7th) for the Tribune-Democrat:

There is a passionate debate today about health care in this country. There ought to be. There is no issue of more universal concern than the medical care of our families, and there is no sector of the American economy in greater need of reform than the health-care industry.

There is even debate about the debate itself, especially the nature of some of the most vocal opposition to reform. It is true that some detractors, including respected political figures and elected leaders, have resorted to spreading deliberate and sometimes outrageous misinformation.

While this is a disservice to the public and to democratic discourse, it does not discount the widespread – and justified – anxiety about health-care reform felt across the political and economic spectrum. I have traveled all across the state, and everywhere I’ve gone concern over health-care reform has dominated discussions.

…

Insurance market reforms and the establishment of a health insurance exchange will put in place constructive and transparent competition among insurance providers.

No longer will insurers compete to see who can deny the most care, but rather who can provide the best care at the lowest cost.

An opportunity like this to create meaningful change comes once in a generation.

Fifteen years ago, we missed our chance, and millions of Americans have suffered for it. Health-care reform is an economic imperative as well as a moral one.

We cannot abide a failure of leadership now. We owe it to our children to refuse to be shouted down, while also understanding the anxiety of Americans in this savage recession. We have the best case for caring for all Americans – now we need to take it directly to the people.

Read the rest of Rep. Sestak’s piece.