Can't Paint an Old Dog Blue

Open the newspaper and look at the coverage over the health care legislation. Now, tell me what the heck is a Blue Dog Democrat?

A Wall Street article today stated that the Blue Dog Coalition formed in 1994 after the Democrats lost Congress. The group is supposed to be a collection of moderate Democrats that are meant to support businesses.

They're holding up the health care bill that calls for mandatory health care to be provided by most employers and the formation of a federal health insurer, amongst other things. In the past the group has helped delay climate change legislation that would burden business and pro-union legislation.

But the so-called business helpers aren't looking to drastically re-write the legislation being deliberated in Congress. Instead they're trying to cut some costs for small business and make a power ploy at a time when Democrats can smell control over Congress.

Currently the party holds the majority in both the House and Senate. And they have enough votes to avoid a Republican filibuster (a political tactic that parties helps prevent legislation from coming to a vote).

What does this mean for small business in Northeast Ohio?

It means will be on our heals while the bureaucrats vacation starting August 1 because we won't know the fate of medical insurance requirements.

All the while the real problem is being ignored. The problem is the cost of health insurance which is at an all time high.

About 10 percent of all health care costs treat obesity related illnesses.

Then there's the problem at the core of health care reform: the business model. Hospitals get paid per procedure rather than per result.

You can paint an old dog blue, but it's only going to bark until it gets the green.

LINKS:
NY Times article on household health care cost.

An article from the Washington Post that sums up the US health care system though heart disease treatments.