Voters: Set The Health Care Agenda

When Congressman Norman Mineta and I had a discussion about health care reform at his annual barbecue in the mid-90s, Norm, a very smart, seasoned and common-sensed San Jose Democrat, felt that neither Congress nor the Administration at the time was ready to act. As usual, he was right

Although health care has even greater public importance today, unless it's a high profile item on the national political agenda, nothing substantive will happen. Partisan politics, budgetary priorities and shortfalls, and our economic woes will block reform of our health systems. Major donors (i.e., insurers, hospitals, pharmaceutical manufacturers, chiropractors organizations, nursing homes, nursing associations and unions, physicians' lobbies, various unions and many others) will preserve their privileged positions. The public, patients and their families, will once again be ignored or stalled.

It's time for voters to use some of their chips - to write brief clear letters (especially the kind that go in the Post Office mail) to our Representatives, Senators, the Administration, and national political parties, making it very clear what we expect them to accomplish for health care. (If you can't write a letter, send an email, but note that email is not as effective at influencing political judgment.)

If you choose not to use your political chips, those major donors to the Republican and Democratic parties, candidates and functionaries, will be at the health policy table in a no limit to the stakes game. Setting an agenda in which health care needs are trivialized, they will divvy up the health care pot, and the public will once again be screwed. You can make a difference by writing a one page letter to your Congresspeople, the Republican and Democratic national parties, the Obama Administration, and your local newspaper:

!. First short paragraph: tell the recipients who you are, where you live, and that you are a voter in their districts (use your zip code); briefly describe the single most serious health system problem you have found.
2. Second short paragraph: describe a solution to the problem you have identified and describe the single most important thing that you want them to do.
3. Third paragraph: picture for them how your proposed solution will help.
4. Fourth paragraph: tell them why their advocacy for your solution to the problem you have identified will be in their best interests.

Politicians count numbers. If enough of us write to our politicians they will notice and respond. If we set their agenda, they will follow. After all, they work for us.