Obama and the Battle for Healthcare Reform

Since U.S. President Truman came out with the idea of a federal health insurance plan 60 years ago, public healthcare has been a problematic issue for all succeeding presidents.

15 years ago, President Clinton planned to reform the healthcare system with the help of First Lady Hillary, but it was rejected by Congress. No one has mentioned public healthcare since then.

America is known as the world’s wealthiest country, with the most advanced technology and clinical expertise. However, the latest numbers show that there are nearly 46 million people in America that cannot afford expensive health insurance and thereby are rejected from the medical service system.

President Obama promised during his campaign to provide a suitable health plan for those without medical insurance and to create a real medical system for all citizens. But in the current situation, where America’s debt is booming, the unemployment rate is on the rise and the economy has yet to recover, it further blocks Obama from implementing this major healthcare reform.

In reforming the healthcare system, Obama’s proposal to allow free market competition between the government-run and private health plans has resulted in vociferous objections from Republicans and insurance companies. This healthcare reform involves $10 trillion in the next 10 years. This is a dreadful figure on top of America’s worsening economy.

Obama is facing three main obstacles: insurance companies with strong financial backgrounds, pharmaceutical companies and Republican members, as well as Democratic members, in Congress. Even though both the Senate and the House of Representatives are controlled by the Democratic Party, in Congress political party is not a determining factor and the most difficult members could be the Democratic ones.

For Obama, who took office merely six months ago, to move this critical healthcare reform at this time is nothing more than staking everything he has at once. What he needs now is to create a valid argument that most of the general public can understand and support.

If this healthcare reform bill is unable to pass in Congress before the autumn, then it is very unlikely that Obama will implement a national healthcare plan during his tenure.