Reich Pessimistic on Health Care Reform

The fight for medical insurance in Canada was very, very bitter. The doctors went on strike and refused to see patients. The private sector fought like wildcats to prevent it. But it came to pass. The people love it. And medical care is good.

I'm watching the US try to achieve this modern standard of social care. It is pitiful to watch. It looks like big money will again prevail in the US to block meaningful reform.

Here's a key bit from Robert Reich's blog:

It's still possible that the House could come up with a real Medicare-like public option and that Senate Dems could pass it under a reconciliation bill needing just 51 votes. But it won't happen without a great deal of pressure from the White House and the public. Big Pharma, Big Insurance, and the rest of Big Med are pushing hard in the opposite direction. And Democrats are now giving away the store. As things are now going, we'll end up with a universal health-care bill this year that politicians, including our President, will claim as a big step forward when it's really a step sideways.

Go read the whole blog to get the ugly details of the fight. Sad.