Okay, we give--let's "start over" with a "clean sheet of paper" on health care insurance reform--but with a catch:
Effective April 1st, we the taxpayers rescind all health care coverage for all members of Congress, all members of the Administration, and all Congressional and Administration appointees and staffers and their families.
All of these people will then required to purchase private insurance in the individual market--that is, unless they decide not to insure themselves (or their families)--that's their choice.
All insurance policy negotiations, as per Republican demands, must be conducted with "transparency," and subject to independent oversight, to prevent any sweetheart deals--in other words, Mr. 70-year-old Senator, Ms. 63-year-old Representative, any pre-existing conditions you have will not be covered, any more than they would be for any other American. Premiums must must be computed using the same formulas as for any American. If you're as sick as any average American who can't get private coverage now, you can't get it either.
...you can have your taxpayer-funded insurance back just as soon as you pass Universal Health Care for everyone else. In the mean time, I suggest you don't get sick.
So--there you go--clean slate.
I predict you'll put a bill on the President's desk by April 15, and it will have full bipartisan support.
