Words.
"August was a tough month for supporters of healthcare reform. Instead of pushing a comprehensive bill close to passage by the time Congress adjourned for its summer break, they were still struggling to get to a vote in the House and a key Senate committee. The news media were filled with reports of protesters howling that "Obama-care" would socialize medicine, promote abortion and ration care for seniors. Polls showed support for the reform effort dropping steadily. The month ended with the death of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, the advocate historically most effective at striking the compromises necessary to get a bill signed.
With the momentum for reform fading, some lawmakers are thinking about abandoning the far-reaching House and Senate bills in favor of more modest changes to the insurance market. We think it's far too early to give up on a comprehensive bill, and we fear that incremental steps won't do much to solve the interrelated problems of high cost and shrinking coverage. The current proposals have flaws -- for instance, they aren't aggressive enough in trying to control costs or reduce demand -- but excessive ambition is not one of them.
...there's no question that lawmakers have to act. It's time for systemic change, not half-measures."
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