DBAGD has received a number of letters asking if a vote for McCain will put paid to health care reform. After all, both Democrat nominees competed like crazy on picayune details of their plans--who will be covered? who is forcing enrollment?--so it's only natural to think that health care reform will play a huge roll in the next four years.
Except, alas, it won't. DBAGD is sorry to break the bad news, but there will almost certainly not be any health care reform in this presidential term, regardless of who wins, because Congress--ruled by Democrats--doesn't think there's enough money. As The Hill reported back in April, congressional Democrats are already hedging on health care
Congressional Democrats are backing away from healthcare reform promises made by their two presidential candidates, saying that even if their party controls the White House and Congress, sweeping change will be difficult.
It is still seven months before Election Day, but already senior Democrats are maneuvering to lower public expectations on the key policy issue.
And so in answer to the queries about the future of health care reform, DBAGD replies a little history lesson that provides with one of the defining memes of this site: Congress makes law. The Democrats own Congress. If the only thing stopping Congress from achieving a popular, widely accepted reform is a McCain veto, then don't expect McCain to veto. But don't expect the president to do Congress's job.
Moreover, it's worth remembering that in modern history, major advancements in controversial policy has always been achieved when the president is from the party you'd least expect it from (cf Nixon in China, Clinton and welfare). If history is any indicator, meaningful reform is more likely from McCain than Obama.
Jun 9, 08 07:09 AM