Cost control: GOP alternative valuable in debate

Republicans in Washington have taken fire from Democrats claiming the GOP has opposed health care reform without offering a plan of their own.

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Some of that is partisan rhetoric. A number of Republicans, including Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Muskogee, have offered legislative alternatives to Obamacare’s coverage mandates, higher taxes and government-run insurance options. Still, the GOP has been somewhat vulnerable because it hasn’t laid out a comprehensive approach.

Until now. The House’s top Republican, Rep. John Boehner of Ohio, is about to release a reform proposal, analyzed for cost by the Congressional Budget Office, in the next few days. When it is unveiled, the GOP plan will be a valuable addition to the overall public debate, offering tangible contrast to the ideas being pushed by the congressional majority and the White House.

Some outlines have emerged already. Fundamentally, Republicans would target rising costs as a first priority instead of universal coverage. "If you drive down costs, you can expand access,” Boehner said Monday.

The GOP plan would make it easier to buy insurance across state lines, increasing private market competition and lowering costs. It would limit medical malpractice lawsuits while making it easier for individuals and small businesses to form insurance pools. It would send federal funds to states to establish pools for high-risk individuals.

Details will be important, obviously. But even in its general state, the Republican proposal appears more responsive to Americans’ chief concern — cost — while offering credible mechanisms to control them without remaking the health care system in Washington’s image.

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Stephen, if your goal in life is to become a satirist, I think you should change directions. There are few Maureen Dowd's around these days and she is struggling as is her newspaper. We liberals need more journalists like George Will & Charles Krauthammer to keep us on the straight & narrow.

Don, Calion - Nov 7, 2009 at 12:46 pm

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Stephen I have not read the GOP proposal. But from what you have just posted about the GOP plan is not that what the Democrats are offering doing the same thing about states rights as what you say the GOP is doing?

BERT, HENRYETTA - Nov 7, 2009 at 9:42 am

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Control costs? Hmm, let's see . . . how did the CBO evaluate the Boehner proposal? Nope, the bill is a useless boondoggle. Now, let's look at my favorite part of it--the part that: (a) defines "state" to include such places as Guam and the Northern Marianas Islands; (b) authorizes insurance companies selling individual policies to simply declare, without any requirement for physical or legal presence, which "state" they are of, and then (c) preempts the laws of the state in which the insured lives or purchased the policy from applying, whatsoever and specifically including laws relating to minimum standards and consumer protections, to the insured's coverage under that plan. Fascinating. Now, let's see, . . . how is such a mechanism not (a) a wholesale race to the bottom and (b) an utter mockery of our federalist system. Think about it . . . the laws of Oklahoma preempted by the "laws" of the Northern Marianas Islands." That's okay with the teabaggers? Curious . . . . Oh, I forgot. It's all about the death panels and our President's birth certificate. THOSE are the issues that matter.

Stephen, Ada - Nov 7, 2009 at 8:55 am

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Bert, Yes some Dems and all Pubs are wholly owned by big insur. co's and redneck, dimwitted, loudmouthed, teabaggers. Say, did Coburn want to fund our super successful wars of choice as we go, even if that means raising taxes ?

lanny, Tulsa - Nov 5, 2009 at 4:43 pm

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Thank you, I knew you would come to your senses. Not you Bert, that's for Don.
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Milkman, Oklahoma City - Nov 5, 2009 at 4:12 pm

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One thing I find very interesting about the liberals on the board is the fact that they have complained about unfunded mandates. And now Colburn want to show where the funding will come from for a bill and he is being demonized for not wanting another unfunded mandate

BERT, HENRYETTA - Nov 5, 2009 at 4:07 pm

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Scott The only 2 on the horizon that can even be called conservative in any way are Romney and Huckabee

BERT, HENRYETTA - Nov 5, 2009 at 3:49 pm

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Lanny i guess from your words that some of the democrats are owned also

BERT, HENRYETTA - Nov 5, 2009 at 3:48 pm

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You're funny, lanny......I left OK in the mid-70s but still have family there.....get back perhaps two to three times a year....usually to watch a sooner football game....OK was an extremely red state with only Tulsa County and a few others voting with the blues....As far as being a self-proclaimed expert I can't take credit for giving myself that award.....the credit must go to the Milkman.

Don, Calion - Nov 5, 2009 at 3:47 pm

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Let see a Ross Perot/Jesse fiscally conservative and socially liberal Ventura ticket next time around.

scott - Nov 5, 2009 at 3:36 pm

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Don the self-proclaimed expert on everything,reveals his amazing knowledge yet again! Tulsa elected Kathy Taylor over Bill Lafortune in the last Mayor's race and presumably the race is tight again between oilman Bartlett (Dewey's son) and the Democrat, Tom Adelson. We shall see. Bartlett is a bit of a moderate at least. Yes, the Tulsa area re-elected the drunk, hospital sueing loudmouth, John Sullivan. I didn't wah, wah about anything, how could you confuse me with Bert and his twin Billy, (Goat?)

lanny, Tulsa - Nov 5, 2009 at 3:31 pm

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I guess I'm that weak, Milkman.....if what you are implying is true, why did Obama make all of those trips making love for the great John Corzine...not just one trip but several...You know, sometimes you're just not wanted but Corzine was on the ropes and he needed someone to jump rope with him....Yeah...all politics are local...if you're a winner...otherwise you're robbed.

Don, Calion - Nov 5, 2009 at 3:27 pm

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Don, Calion, The last time you voted for a Governor, Did you say, "let's see, who's the President and how is he doing"? I'll use that to decide who to vote for for Governor of my state. Are you that weak?
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Milkman, Oklahoma City - Nov 5, 2009 at 3:11 pm

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Ah, nice to see that Lanny, the hershey bar, is back to his baby talk....always wah wah wahing with very few facts....He did admit that it was fun living in a conservative city like Tulsa. One of the most desirable cities in which to live on the entire planet....right behind OKC....

Don, Calion - Nov 5, 2009 at 3:09 pm

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Hey Bert, your favorite Republican, the House Minority leader (Boehner) was on tv at the Tea-Bagger's madparty awhile ago waving a document, quoting from it, ranting about the President, and calling what was in his hand the Constitution several times. The problem was that it was The Declaration of Independence. It is just another typical wingnut deal, they don't have a clue what they rattle about.

lanny, Tulsa - Nov 5, 2009 at 3:04 pm

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The dems, just like the gop, are their own worst enemies...It's obvious that Pelosi learned nothing from the results of Tuesday's elections...To move forward with a vote on the house version of its' monstrous health bill is throwing fuel to the fire....Nancy's district is a safe haven for her even if she were to grow a mustache but there are many other congress people who won in 08 by riding in on Obama's coat tails.....those tails are no longer made of teflon...rather more like barbed wire.

Don, Calion - Nov 5, 2009 at 3:04 pm

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No comment on Coburn not wanting veterans to call his office Bert?

John, Norman - Nov 5, 2009 at 3:01 pm

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Actually Bert, I don't think that it's so much "thinking alike." They just have no guts. We have NO ONE in this country to blame but ourselves (democrats) if health care WITH a public option does not pass.

Cale, oklahoma city - Nov 5, 2009 at 3:00 pm

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Bert, I didn't blame the Republicans although it is evident they are fully owned subsidiaries of the big health insurance co's. When the Pubs plan doesn't deal with the pre-existing condition scandals, you know they are bought off !

lanny, Tulsa - Nov 5, 2009 at 2:58 pm

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You damned sure got that right Bert!

Cale, oklahoma city - Nov 5, 2009 at 2:57 pm

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And Lanny I am not a Republican or a Democrat. I side with both parties on different issues. As I have stated on here previously ANY person who can stomach listening to Rush or Beck for ANY period of time should be put down.

scott - Nov 5, 2009 at 2:39 pm

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I've been called worse. I also vote for what I beleive in.

scott - Nov 5, 2009 at 2:35 pm

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Lanny if Democrats do not think alike enough to get bills passed when they are the party with the large majority do not blame the republicans

BERT, HENRYETTA - Nov 5, 2009 at 2:19 pm

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Scott-I say again Democrats do not all think alike, you are so used to a lock-step LimBecker, Tea-Bagging, Right-Wing Republican mindset, it staggers your imagination to think that some people think for themselves.As for the Dingbat comment, it takes one to know one.

lanny, Tulsa - Nov 5, 2009 at 1:45 pm

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Scott, we do not have a parliamentary form of government. Hence all politics are local.

John, Norman - Nov 5, 2009 at 1:36 pm

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