Health Care Passes: An Historic Moment

There are few days in a lifetime that you get to see real change in a moment. The millions who will now be covered, the inability to be categorized as a "re-existing" condition, the recent college grads who will have some breathing room, the maintaining of the Hyde Amendment provisions meaning no federal funds for abortion: this is an historic moment. Even the idiot who called Bart Stupak a "baby killer" could not dim this moment.

E.J. Dionne at the Washington Post captures the moment well (click here for full article).

*****************************************************

"On Nov. 19, 1945, Truman stated facts that are true to this day. "People with low or moderate incomes do not get the same medical attention as those with high incomes," he said. "The poor have more sickness, but they get less medical care. People who live in rural areas do not get the same amount or quality of medical attention as those who live in our cities."

The nation, Truman added, needed to resolve "that financial barriers in the way of attaining health shall be removed" and "that the health of all its citizens deserves the help of all the Nation." Nearly 65 years later, Truman's wish has come to pass.

...

For Obama, this struggle was transformative. He began his administration full of hope that his campaign pledge to achieve concord across party lines was a realistic possibility. But when faced with implacable Republican opposition, he jettisoned the happy talk and came out fighting.

If bipartisanship is more fashionable than partisanship, partisanship with a purpose is infinitely preferable to paralysis. Obama has made clear that he will reach out when he can, and do battle when he must.

By temperament, the president is more a consensus builder than a warrior. But he is also a practical man who wants to accomplish big things. On Sunday, he did just that on health care, and he earned a place in history."