When Niches Rule

The fiction being peddled by many is that voters are not buying health care reform, why Congress — representative of the electorate, in this instance — is in gridlock over the issue.

The truth is likely more complicated. We believe voters are frustrated not because of the content of legislation but because of the failure to pass any reform altogether.

Yes, there are voters — Democrats and Republicans — who want stricter abortion language, those who want a public option, the "Obamacare" faction that is ranting about a "government takeover" of health care, those with more genuine concerns about big government and then those who simply want to deny President Barack Obama and Democrats a win on this issue.

But these, we believe, represent relatively small niches in the electorate. Most people want some measure of universal health care that covers the uninsured and makes insurance companies operate fairly.

The U.S. Senate's version of health care reform substantially does that.

These minority niches, however, have found voice in Congress, and they threaten to sacrifice the good not so much on the altar of the perfect but on the altar of their particular niche.

Congress is skittish because of midterm elections in November.

It should be, but not for the reason conventional wisdom is pitching. There will be a price to pay in November — by those who block or attempt to block reform.

The easiest thing would be for the House to simply approve the Senate bill as is. Easy. Simple. No need to go the reconciliation route. But that ship has sailed. There will be amendments because the Senate and House will have to arrive at a bill that satisfies those niches.

All we ask of these niches is to realize that universal care will not be unlike any other large congressional initiative. There will be the need to improve, delete and tweak in the years ahead as warranted. This isn't the last shot at health care.

Obama is pressing Congress to pass a bill this month. Yes. Pass a bill now because existing insurance fails too many now. Pass a bill now because the uninsured can't wait.

REPRINTED FROM THE MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL.

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