Many issues, such as health and national security, ought to be nonpartisan in a logical world. But seldom has Congress been so deeply divided, and so many issues decided on a strict party-line vote.
Bipartisanship has many advocates, and it occasionally occurs. The late Senator John McCain was the best-known example. But it does seem to work in one direction only: Republicans defying the Trump Administration and reneging on campaign promises.
On health issues, Democrats appear to be solidly united on a “First, Do No Harm (to ObamaCare)” stand. (See Wall St J, Oct 11). More are now lining up behind the next step advocated by the Democratic Socialists: “Medicare for All,” though many have reservations about the cost.
Republicans have failed to repeal ObamaCare, despite their promises, but could there be some bipartisan effort to liberalize it? How about saying “If you like your ObamaCare, you can keep your ObamaCare, but if you don’t like it, you have options”?
Questions for candidates:
- Should patients be allowed to buy old-fashioned, affordable “major medical” coverage for catastrophes only, self-fund routine costs, and keep the substantial savings?
- Should Americans be allowed to accept a higher paying or more desirable job if offered—including doctors caring for private patients outside the system?
- Should Americans be forced to pay for, or doctors to participate in, treatments they believe to be harmful to patients or unethical (such as abortion, euthanasia, or sex-change procedures)?
- Should states be allowed to innovate with Medicaid, say by giving dollars directly to needy patients or paying directly for their treatment, instead of funneling money through middlemen?
