Published: September 12, 2009 08:27 pm         

Tribune-Star editorial: No drive-through for health care reform

If only we could order our health care reform from a menu the way we order at a fast-food restaurant; we could get a proper overhaul done in no time.

We could order with the value meal numbers that have combinations of various ideas and approaches, and even super-size some of the elements and get our package through the window in 35 seconds or less. The debate over health care reform could be settled quickly and to the satisfaction of everyone involved.

Unfortunately, the order we are trying to place will not be nearly that easy to fill or without the kind of strong emotions that rarely accompany a drive-through experience.

On Wednesday night, President Obama took his plea to Congress and America to continue to keep this debate alive for the sake of a solution. Even though he has some strong ideas about how to reform, he said he is open to all ideas that can lead toward a solution that will serve all concerned.

The key is to come up with the solution, no matter how little or how much time it takes.

In U.S. Rep. Brad Ellsworth’s telephone town hall meeting earlier this month, he expressed cautious optimism and committed himself to supporting a bill that makes sense. “My number one goal in this … is to protect what works and fix what doesn’t,” Ellsworth said, during the public call. “Doing nothing is not an option.”

Despite criticism about Ellsworth’s method of listening — via phone and many small meetings vs. large, in-person gatherings — we in the 8th District are fortunate that our Congressman wants to listen to the voters, is trying to understand their needs and has the patience to help put together a solution that addresses those real needs with medical and fiscal responsibility.

After all, whatever other properties U.S. health care reform ultimately may possess, the majority of the American people must be comfortable with it or it surely will fail.

We are at a great point in history, when this huge and complex issue can be discussed — and resolved. It does not have to be rushed. If the solution is not easily at hand, let’s not stop the process. Much input and compromise will be necessary. Change this big shouldn’t happen quickly, but the slow pace is no reason to abandon or kill it. Remedying an entire nation’s health care system is not ordering fast-food in a drive-through.

We support an approach that is cautious and resolute. We support Ellsworth’s stance of responsible governance, no matter how long it may take to get the contentious issue correctly resolved. Further, we believe there can be health care reform that will benefit all and provide much-needed coverage at a reasonable cost to the taxpayers.

Our tasks in the meantime as citizens are these: Don’t allow any elected officials to give up on this process, and continue to provide all-important input to those officials until we all get the job done.