The President, despite all the vilification and misinformation surrounding his views on health reform, seems the voice of reason and moderation to me of late. Take a look at his “plan,” which I included below. There’s not much in there we couldn’t get behind, particularly as compared to all the controversies in the major bills. He goes mainly after insurers. He has made it clear he’s not 100% dependent on a public option; he’s open to discussion about the MedPAC idea. The main concern I have about his commitment to ‘no contribution to the deficit’ in funding reform is that Congress has to propose how to do that -- and they could go after us. But Nancy Ann DeParle, his Health Czar, seems very clearly unwilling to go after doctors further to finance reform.

AMA, ACP, AAFP, and AAP (pediatrics) have all been gravitating toward aligning with Obama, who has by far the most moderate and flexible approach here of the options before us. They’re not dummies in this. They plan to be at the table when the really tough decisions are being made in the next 2-3 months. I’m thinking we should be there too. We could offer more real insights on payment and delivery system reform than any of the aforementioned. We may also need some big time help from the Administration on the final deliberations on the Rule this year. After the HHS Secretary weighs in, the final decision on that must also go through the OMB (Office of Management and Budget—Mr. Orzsag). It wouldn’t be bad to have some friends in high places, folks.

Look at the President’s agenda carefully -- the Dems are in power and are going to get something through. Would we not want to find a way -- but of course without robotically agreeing to anything they want -- to align with this moderate approach for now, rather than with all the disturbing details in the other bills?  We need to be at the table when the really scary stuff starts to happen. We better think this through carefully. Obama’s got the most middle of the road strategy here so far…

Also, I'm including below a revised statement on the President's Rose Garden Address...

Public Statement from Jack Lewin, CEO, American College of Cardiology

"I am most inspired by the vision of President Obama with respect to health system reform, and his principles for effecting needed changes to America’s health care system.

I believe the principles he has provided to this conversation are in full alignment with the principles developed by the College during the past year.  I firmly believe the President has taken a pragmatic approach that will bring persons on both sides of the aisle together to get reform passed this year.  His concern and desire to address the flawed SGR payment formula and to work with Secretary Sebelius to reduce defensive medicine through achievable tort reforms is also most welcome to all physicians.  It is essential that the nation move forward in 2009 with a meaningful and historic health reform proposal.

We look forward to working with the President, Secretary Sebelius, and the Administration to help move legislation through Congress this year and then to work on the process of implementation over the coming years."

The Obama Plan_Full (2).pdf (86.72 kb)

*** Image from Flirckr (Swatzo). ***