The Roots of Health Care Reform
January 6, 2010 - by
As the health-care battle resumes in Washington
Most people believe this battle traces back to Bill and Hillary Clinton’s failed effort to reform health care in 1993-1994.
Actually, it goes back to 1991 – and a now-forgotten special election for the U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania
Harris Wofford, who had been a civil rights adviser to John Kennedy, was appointed to the Senate by then-Governor Bob Casey (father of the current Senator Casey) to succeed John Heinz (who was married to Teresa Heinz – now Teresa Kerry) after Heinz died in a plane crash..
When Wofford ran in 1991, he was an underdog to former Republican Governor Dick Thornburg, who was seen as a potential presidential candidate.
Wofford’s campaign was run by two then-little known Democratic consultants: James Carville and Paul Begala.
They found that Pennsylvania
“If every criminal has the right to see a lawyer, every American should have the right to see a doctor.”
Thanks to that issue, Wofford won.
The next year, Carville and Begala ran Clinton
But few know what else was written on the sign: “Change vs. status quo. And don’t forget health care.”
Democrats should remember that lesson now. Their reform message must be just as simple and strong.
If it is, the Republicans’ rock-solid opposition may come back to haunt them this November.
The Roots of Health Care Reform
January 6, 2010/
As the health-care battle resumes in Washington
Most people believe this battle traces back to Bill and Hillary Clinton’s failed effort to reform health care in 1993-1994.
Actually, it goes back to 1991 – and a now-forgotten special election for the U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania
Harris Wofford, who had been a civil rights adviser to John Kennedy, was appointed to the Senate by then-Governor Bob Casey (father of the current Senator Casey) to succeed John Heinz (who was married to Teresa Heinz – now Teresa Kerry) after Heinz died in a plane crash..
When Wofford ran in 1991, he was an underdog to former Republican Governor Dick Thornburg, who was seen as a potential presidential candidate.
Wofford’s campaign was run by two then-little known Democratic consultants: James Carville and Paul Begala.
They found that Pennsylvania
“If every criminal has the right to see a lawyer, every American should have the right to see a doctor.”
Thanks to that issue, Wofford won.
The next year, Carville and Begala ran Clinton
But few know what else was written on the sign: “Change vs. status quo. And don’t forget health care.”
Democrats should remember that lesson now. Their reform message must be just as simple and strong.
If it is, the Republicans’ rock-solid opposition may come back to haunt them this November.