It’s put-up-or-shut-up time

The process of passing a healthcare bill has been ugly and
at some points downright depressing. I am not advocating that the Democrats
pass what they have. But if you look closely at the political landscape
Democrats find themselves in, then it is obvious they have no choice but to
pass healthcare reform and the window is closing quickly.

Yes, the healthcare reform bills that have passed the House
and Senate are unpopular, and yes, the Democrats will pay for passing
something, to be sure. But as I explained in my column this week, the price of inaction is far greater.

One day, in another political environment, Democrats
would be able to say they passed something to help Americans secure healthcare
at an uncertain time, when losing a job means losing coverage. One day
Democrats would be able to say they ended the abusive practices of insurance
companies.

But if they don’t pass it, they are the party of bailouts,
of deficits, of legislative gridlock, of infighting over abortion, of overreach
— the party that couldn’t govern. There is no time to “work with
Republicans” on a smaller bill of popular consumer protections
like the end of lifetime caps on coverage or the ban on coverage for those with
pre-existing conditions. Why? Because if you pass those without covering
everybody, costs go up sharply. Republicans aren’t going to support a mandate
or subsidies to expand the coverage pool.

Democrats are in a corner, and time is running out. But
after spending generations promising healthcare reform, Democrats simply
must jump off this cliff.

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