The American Spectator

The Public Policy

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to the Bush proposal thusly: br> /p>

Four years ago, a proposal like the one Bush is making might have been the opening bid on a workable compromise -- one that could have helped make medical care more affordable for a modest, but significant, group of people. But the conversation about health care reform has moved way past that point already. Even conservative industry groups like the Business Roundtable and America's Health Insurance Plans have put their imprimatur on far more sweeping initiatives. Meanwhile, a Republican governor (Schwarzenegger) is proposing truly universal coverage for his state while a former Republican governor (Mitt Romney) has already enacted it for his. Forget the talk about Bush's bipartisanship; at least on health care, he can't even keep up with his own party.

br> Cohn is probably correct. The President's proposal is a few years too late and pales in comparison to grander schemes being pushed elsewhere.

Unfortunately, politicians in Massachusetts and California are ignoring recent history. Other states that, in recent years, enacted more modest programs aimed at covering the uninsured have either crashed and burned (Tennessee) or are in the process of doing so (Maine). Massachusetts and California (if it passes Arnold Care) will eventually suffer a similar fate. When they do, reformers may finally look for more market-oriented approaches.

President Bush's plan will be a good place to start.

David Hogberg is a senior analyst at the National Center for Public Policy Research. He also hosts his own website, Hog Haven.

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Taxes, Health Care, Business, Law