Greg Jayne: The ease of spreading health care stance is no debate

Oct. 21--If only there were some way to get the word out, to alert the public to her concerns.

Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, who is running for re-election, is worried that not enough emphasis has been placed on challenger Carolyn Long's support of a Medicare-for-all plan. Or, at least her staff is. The Columbian has received recent emails from Herrera Beutler's representatives asking for more coverage of Long's position.

Before delving into the situation, we need to take care of some housekeeping. First, the Editorial department is separate from the newsroom. This page is not influenced by, nor does it influence, what is covered in our news sections. Second, Long has, indeed, expressed support of Medicare for all, such as a plan introduced by Bernie Sanders in the Senate, but has hedged on it. She has said she would vote for a plan if it is politically viable, which would not be the case unless Democrats have control of both chambers of Congress and the White House. Even then, it would be a hard slog.

That being said, it is interesting how "Medicare for all" is being used as a wedge issue by Republicans. Apparently, when your cut-taxes-and-spend-money-you-don't-have policies are indefensible, you stoke fear over what the other side might do.

Sanders' bill, which is about as realistic as a promise to provide unicorns and fairy dust for every household, reportedly would cost $32 trillion over 10 years. That was the finding of the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, which, by the way, is funded by the Koch brothers.

This number has been reported ad nauseam, because $3.2 trillion a year is a lot of money. But what has not been reported very often is that the same study estimates Americans will spend $34 trillion on health care over the next decade under the current system. So, according to one study, we could have the federal government take over the health care system and insure everybody while spending $200 billion a year less.

Again, that is just one study, but it provides a starting point for the discussion. Americans are understandably leery about government-run anything, and considering the state of Veterans Affairs health care, there is reason for caution. With government having a habit of spending more than expected and delivering less than promised, there are valid concerns about the takeover of an industry that represents one-sixth of the economy.

But with an estimated 38 million Americans lacking health insurance and another 40 million or so having paper-thin coverage, it seems that we can do better. And with the Trump administration undermining the Affordable Care Act rather than repealing and replacing the law, it seems the issue calls for urgency. This nation spends much more on health care per capita than any other but does not provide the best care -- a situation that requires more than simply promising to repeal the Affordable Care Act or feeding fear about the bogeyman coming to take over your insurance.

Herrera Beutler skips debate

All of which brings us back to getting the word out.

Herrera Beutler wants to sound the alarm about Long's expressed support for a single-payer health care system -- and she should. But the way to raise the issue is to engage with your opponent in a public forum. Instead, the candidates have made two public appearances together, and neither has been in Clark County, the district's population hub.

Herrera Beutler declined a debate sponsored by the Clark County League of Women Voters, with her staff saying it didn't fit into the congresswoman's schedule. But her Twitter feed in recent weeks reveals many, many public appearances at local businesses and potlucks -- the kind of places where photo ops are plentiful and hard questions are nonexistent. The only thing resembling a debate between the candidates was an interview with The Columbian's Editorial Board.

Herrera Beutler wants the public to know Long's thoughts on health care. If only there were some way to get the word out.

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