Health care-- Business as usual is not acceptable

This editorial appears in the Feb. 14, 2010, Yakima Herald-Republic.

President Barack Obama has scheduled a nationally televised health care summit for Feb. 25 in hopes of securing bipartisan support. His recent British Parliament-style debate with the opposing party proved by all accounts to be highly successful and, at times, provocative.

But Republican leaders now say they may refuse to attend the summit. Obama counters by asserting he will carry on without them. Not much of a debate if that happens. And bid farewell to a show of bipartisanship. Too bad the Obama administration didn't make these attempts earlier -- perhaps from Day One when the newly elected president took office instead of standing on the sidelines while fellow Democrats charged ahead on their own.

Once again it appears to be business as usual in Washington, D.C. The same can be said for how this nation delivers its health care. Look no farther than the state of California.

In the wake of the stunning Senate victory of Republican Scott Brown in Massachusetts and the loss of momentum for health care in Congress, Anthem Blue Cross announced recently it would increase insurance rates by as much as 39 percent for individual policies in California. Observers say the risk pool for the insurance company has worsened due to rising unemployment. When those who are healthy -- the kind of policy holders Anthem Blue Cross wants -- lose a job, they also lose their employer-based health care coverage. What remains is a higher percentage of policy holders who are sicker, which in turn forces costs up.

The 39 percent increase is an outrage given economic conditions, and will only end up expanding the number of uninsured in California, which now totals roughly 10 million residents -- one-third of the state population.

Such is the nature of our current health care system.

Fixing it requires everyone's attention, but that likelihood faces dubious odds and a skeptical public. Polls show just over 50 percent of Americans dislike the current health care proposals, which few understand -- except for the highly publicized deals that have favored certain senators and their states as well as labor unions.

Perhaps the prospect of a health insurer jacking up rates by nearly 40 percent will enliven Obama's debate at his health care summit and encourage Republicans to make an appearance.

With 46 million Americans uninsured and millions more likely to be added if nothing is done, surely some common ground can be found. Creating jobs is also seen as a critical issue that needs to be addressed, but if losing a job also means losing health care insurance, no one wins -- regardless of whether you call yourself a Blue-Dog Democrat or a Tea Party Republican.

* Members of the Yakima Herald-Republic editorial board are Michael Shepard, Bob Crider, Spencer Hatton and Karen Troianello.