In a little-known publication, “Contingencies”, the magazine of the American Academy of Actuaries, Sen. John McCain wrote for this month’s issue:
“Opening up the health insurance market to more vigorous nationwide competition, as we have done over the last decade in banking, would provide more choices of innovative products less burdened by the worst excesses of state-based regulation.”
This statement in such a far-reaching publication (deep sarcasm intended) sent Virginia Democrats into such a state of angst that they hastily called a press conference this past Saturday outside McCain HQ in Arlington.
Judy Feder, Democratic nominee for US Representative from Virginia’s 10th Congressional District and Barbara Favola, Vice Chair of the Arlington County Board and a member of Virginia’s State Health Board were the headliners at this sideshow.
The Democrats decried the statement. The gist of their disapproval: “In spite of the unprecedented crisis created by Bush-McCain deregulatory policies, McCain wants to put Americans’ health care at the mercy of Wall Street,” said a DPVA press release.
Oh, there’s so much fun with this, where to begin?
Instead of getting overly-analytical, let’s keep it simple:
1) As has been proven again and again, it was Clinton policies that laid the groundwork for last week’s economic fun. Not saying the Bush admin didn’t help. But let’s be grown-ups when we talk about this.
2) Deregulation has not been the culprit. In fact, over-regulation and poor lending/borrowing practices are probably more at fault. And, certainly, government, as Democrats always default to, is not necessarily the cause or the solution.
3) It is precisely the lack of competition among HMOs that causes them to have a monopoly and places both patients and practitioners over-a-barrel (and Judy Feder and Barbara Favola want to give HMOs and government MORE control!)
4) Reliving the heady days of sit-ins and demonstrations, the libs took their fight to “the man” himself. Apparently 20 people showed up. First, if you are going to have a healthcare availability, wouldn’t you rather choose a hospital or clinic? Especially one that might have long lines? Second, if you’re going to make it a stunt, be sure to have numbers to back you up.
5) This McCain statement, which shows he’s thinking about healthcare and making it more competitive, which should make it more efficient and affordable to the average consumer, would have never been heard of, buried in this obscure magazine. Now Democrats have actually helped tell the story of a pretty darn good and key proposal of the McCain campaign.
If Judy Feder wants to represent the 10th District, she probably ought to stay away from stunts that help tell the Republican message.
