RNC Chairman Michael Steele took to the airwaves today looking to attack President Obama’s health care plan and prove Republicans aren’t just the “party of no” on reform. His strategy? List a bunch of vague “common sense reforms” and dodge any questions about concrete legislation coming from his party.
Some of his ideas are simply baffling. “Don’t you agree that companies like Target are best suited to bring costs down than any politician in Washington?” Steele asked. “So let’s use consumer-buying power and group buying power, not Washington price-controls, to bring health care costs down.”
During his speech to the National Press Club this morning, he listed several other “common sense reforms” such as “cut[ting] out the Washington middle man,” implementing a tax credit for health care premiums and enforcing penalties for anyone who “rips off” the system.
But for all his party’s ideas, he fumbled when asked why Republicans didn’t put these into motion when they controlled Congress. After citing Medicare Part D as important legislation, he blamed a lack of will.
“The other reality is the will to do it. The pressure (has) been mounting over the past few years…The will is there now for the people to be involved in this,” he said. “There was a general lack of focus on this issue by many in both parties.”
He was then asked when the GOP would propose alternative legislation.
“Republicans can get up tomorrow” and propose a bill, he said. “But we all know how Congress works. The only bill that matters is the one the leadership puts in place.”
He also appeared to have never heard about individually mandated health insurance, claiming “I don’t do policy.” When asked why Republicans haven’t formed a united front, he said, “I don’t make that play call.”
As for his ideas, several fall in line with some of President Obama’s desired policies, such as focusing on prevention and supporting a computerized system to reduce paperwork.
The party’s other reforms are pretty vague. Steele said an undefined “we” should “make insurance companies compete with each other” with simpler contracts and one-page reimbursement forms; let Americans get the cheapest insurance no matter where they live or whom they work for; and create “bold new incentives” for companies to cure diseases.
