A scary story - the public option?
Author: Peter Yellowlees

Why is Congress so afraid of the public option as part of
health reform? Why are politicians getting so worked up
about a system that every other Western country already
has, and which works so well in all of them? Why do they
not want to extend Medicare, a widely supported and
valuable system that even the most ardent republicans are
now praising? Why are they afraid of a competitive system
that will force insurance companies to be more honest and
keep their premiums reasonable? Why do they want to
seemingly continue with our current broken expensive
inefficient health system?

Is the public option really that scary?

Of course not.

So let's look at this question? What are the reasons?

Doubtless some politicians have strong philosophical views
that preclude them supporting the public option - that is
fair enough, and at least they can tell their constituents
without any health insurance in perfect honesty that they
would like them to remain in the same uninsured state for
the foreseeable future.

Others are clearly in the pockets of the insurance
companies, and have listened to too many industry lobbyists
giving positive presentations containing inaccurate data.
They have taken contributions from the companies, and feel
a sense of alignment as a consequence. They may even have
some of these companies based in their states, allowing
them the self-deception that they are helping retain jobs
in their own states by opposing the public option.

But most of them are scared. They are scared of making
decisions. They are scared of change. They are scared of
losing their seats, and their power and influence. They are
scared of upsetting their current position. They would
prefer to retain the status quo, and are afraid of a
different world. We need to examine why this is the case.
What will make them less scared. What will give them the
courage to stand up and promote change, when it is so
patently needed?

Members of Congress need to understand that if they can
identify this fear, as fear of change, that they will be
able to conquer it and move forward. Congress is well known
as a slow moving place, where change happens at a glacial
pace, so it is hardly surprising that our representatives
are suddenly scared of the rapid pace of potential change,
and are frightened.

And it is true that some of them have much to lose. They
may be up for re-election and feel considerable pressure
from advocacy groups and funders. But they have to make a
decision. Do they stand up for themselves, and do something
right? Do they make a vote to save lives? Do they try and
help save the life of the many people currently dying
needlessly in our wonderful land of plenty? Do they take
the advice of 70% of doctors, like myself, who support the
need for a public option to help keep the health system
more honest?

Fear of change can be overcome. Remember that a life
without change is often boring and monotonous. Think how
much more fulfilled our Congressmen will feel for having
done the "right thing" and voted to implement change, and a
public option in healthcare. Change is essential in our
lives. It opens up new vistas and opportunities. When you
face change, and overcome it, you can then go on and face
more changes in your life and successfully overcome them.
And enjoy your life more.

Our politicians need to overcome their fear. The public
option is not really a scary story. Change must be
embraced. They need to do the right thing for themselves,
for their constituents, and for their country. This way
they will grow, and will become bigger and better people.
For that is what happens when you embrace change and move
on and overcome your fear.


About the Author:

Peter Yellowlees MD has recently published "Your Health in
the Information Age - how you and your doctor can use the
Internet to work together". It is available at
http://www.InformationAgeHealth.com and most online
bookstores.