Kennedy Proposes Ending Employer System, But
9 Out Of 10 Panelists Oppose A Single Payer

The first hearing by the new Democratic Congress took place this morning in the Senate HELP Committee and the subject was health care. New committee chairman Kennedy called the hearing in the form of a roundtable discussion on Capitol Hill featuring both liberal and conservative groups, with the Massachusetts health plan and the uninsured a primary focus.

All of the panelists on both sides supported three things: price transparency, an extension of the SCHIP program, and an increase in the use of IT. Republicans and Democrats on the Senate panel heaped praise on each other and the panel for being so cooperative and open-minded. Panel members were friendly and avoided a single word of criticism.

However, during the brief remarks by panelists a Kennedy staffer quietly passed out a press release from the chairman unveiling the lastest version of a new Health Care For All By 2010 proposal. None of the panelists saw the document while they were busy cooperating.  It would end the employer-based system by expanding the Medicare program to cover all Americans – unless they choose a plan offered by the Federal Employee Health Benefit Program. Premiums would be replaced with a new payroll tax.

Strangely, Kennedy never asked about his proposal, but described it as a national version of the Massachusetts health reform...which all of the panelists supported with minor caveats. But when a GOP Senator asked each panelist to state yes or no whether they support a single payer system, 9 out of 10 said no (Sen. Kennedy appeared not to notice). Some who have previously backed single payer mumbled comments such as “no not affordable” or “no not practical at this time” in barely audible voices.

We are not sure what they said when they got back to the office...