was the most important domestic issue that citizens would like the “government to address and for presidential candidates to discuss”. Understandably, Democratic presidential candidates have dedicated a great deal of their time to addressing healthcare issues and reform including presidential candidate Hillary Clinton; who just last week unveiled her long awaited revised universal healthcare policy in Iowa (See image on the right). Due to the harsh criticism and public failure of Hillary Clinton’s last universal healthcare proposal plan in 1994, I was interested in examining what others had to say about her newly improved plan and began my exploration using the blogosphere. After reading a variety of webblogs, I decided to comment on two very compelling posts. First, I commented on a post entitled “Hillary Clinton Takes on Healthcare (Again)”by Bill Boyarsky, who has taught at several prestigious universities and written four political books. He addresses the need for a “decent system of medical care” and Clinton’s “home field advantage” with her deep understanding of the U.S. healthcare system. Next, I commented on Roger Hickey’s “Hillary Confirms Commitment to Health Care for All”, which makes a strong argument regarding the hardship of implementing a “private-public plan for achieving health care for all”. My comments written to the authors of both of these webblogs can be found below.“Hillary Clinton Takes on Healthcare (Again)”
Comment:
First of all, I would like to say that you raise some very interesting and valid points in your argument. Although a single payer system proposed by presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich may be more efficient, you are correct in stating that it is a plan that would “probably [be] impossible to pas
s” and “[t]he health insurance businesses are big contributors who no doubt figure they have bought themselves a place at the table”. I also agree that Hillary Clinton is very knowledgeable in healthcare issues, however, I do not necessarily agree that because she has had the most visible experience, she will implement the best healthcare reform. As you stated, John Edwards proposed a very similar plan before Hillary Clinton unveiled her own. Recent articles have even stated that Edwards’ wife has publicly accused Clinton of copying her husband’s plan outlined in February (See image to the left). There are also strong similarities between Barack Obama’s proposed plan and the other candidates’ healthcare reform as well, except for a few issues such as the mandate that everyone must have health insurance. Although, Hillary Clinton may have the most political experience in dealing with national healthcare issues, many of her opponents have studied the mistakes of her first proposal and have done their own research with expert advisory groups. These candidates may be able to provide a more fresh and objective point of view on healthcare reform.“Hillary Confirms Commitment to Health Care for All”
Comment:
The conclusion to your post makes a very strong argument in regards to whether or not we will be able to hold insurance companies and drug industries “to a high moral standard” with the willingness to “contribute to the solution to our health care problems”. In order for Hillary Clinton’s plan to work, we need to be able to trust that our private sector companies will follow her new regulations including fair premiums and providing coverage to anyone who applies no matter what their pre-existing condition might be. You statement at the end of your argument saying that we are “going to have to make sure that the political power of the American majority is mobilized to make sure we have the power to enforce that high moral standard” is a bit confusing to me. How do you propose we accomplish this? In that sense, I agree with you that Barak Obama’s plan is much more clear. Due to the fact that anyone who is not covered by private insurance will immediately be enrolled in public health insurance, private insurance companies will hopefully think twice about refusing coverage to anyone because they will lose their business to the public sector.
1 comment:
First off, I would like to praise your blog post for its clear structure and sentencing. Your introduction was very helpful in understanding the topic, as well as why you decided to write about Hillary Clinton's health care reform. Your introduction also helps ease into a very complex issue, the health care system. Another positive element of your post was your usage of quotes. You referenced the blogs you commented on many times, and this helped support your argument. You even continue on to get the author of one of the blogs to think and expand on his ideas by asking, "how do you propose we accomplish this?"("this being a progressive health care system and alternative). Your sources were credible and in depth, and I even wrote down the link to one of them so I can use it for my blog in the future. The pictures in your blog, however, were not introduced in a manner that promoted your topic. Perhaps an introduction of the photo in your comment about "Edwards wife has publicly accused Hillary" would have been appropriate, along with a picture of Edwards and Clinton together. Also, instead of using the author's names like "Boyarsky" or "Hickey" to link to their individual blogs, maybe you could link to their blogs via the title. It was a bit confusing when I clicked on their names and was led to their blogs, when I expected to be directed to a personal info. page about the authors.
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