- Email: [email protected]
WASHINGTON PERSPECTIVE
NEWS WASHINGTON PERSPECTIVE
do about health reform. agree that it’s important the to avoid do-nothing stance that so little time Health reform: so much to sink Bush, although George helped some prefer not to do much at all. The actuarials of politics assure The calendar draws attention here as Financed by the Republican the Congressional session goes into that voluntary departures and defeats National Committee, the minimalist will bring perhaps 100 new members the homestretch with only one strategy is now showing up on the certain about the fate of health-care to the 435-member House and nation’s TV screens, co-starring Senreform: the Clintons’ cosmic plan for maybe a dozen or more new Senators ate Minority Leader Bob Dole, who reorganising the economics and among the 100 in that body. (A is running hard for the Republican administration of health care is out of record number of physicians, some presidential nomination. Sharing the the running. Congress, however, 35 or 40 of them, are competing this billing with the Senator is a disseems inclined at this point to enact year for seats in the House, which tressed-looking performer, telephonsome reforms. But time is running now contains just two medical docing home to say that he was offered a short, and much remains to be done tors ; the surge is attributed to strong wonderful new job but cannot take it. in the crucial legislative drafting comfeelings on health-care reform.) FolHe is diabetic and, because of this mittees-two in the Senate and three lowing election day, the departing pre-existing condition, would be in the House, none in agreement with legislators linger on in full power denied coverage by the insurance each other or among themselves. To until year’s end, and theoretically company serving the prospective enact a law, the rules require that the could return to attend to health-care employer. On comes Senator Dole, various committee choices will have reform and other unfinished busisaying that Congress can fix the to be amalgamated into a single bill ness. But on critical issues, the voices problem by making health insurance in each house and, finally, into a of lame ducks lack authority. : portable. The basic message is that a The next four months, less all the fix here and there can single bill approved by both houses. : remedy the Tax increases to pay for universal time off for holidays and electioneershortcomings of the health-care syshealth care are rated politically SUICIing, are thus considered crucial for tem, without risking the uncertainties dal. But the alternative, a attaining the long-elusive goal of uniof the massive overhaul proposed by mandate requiring employers to foot versal health insurance. When the the Clintons. most of the costs, has raised serious new members take office in January, The Clintons continue their tireless opposition, particularly among small . who knows what their political makeexhortations on health care, with ralbusinesses, which are doted on in up or mood will be? And if the eleclies, town meetings, visits to hospiCongress as the backbone of enter- tion tilts against the Democrats, tals, and so forth. But the major which is expected, frustrating the decisions will be prise and prosperity. made, or not made, The Senate Finance Committee President will be the basic Republion Capitol Hill, in the next few has been pondering health issues in can strategy in the run-up to the months. At this point, the only cer: private conclaves, and has not yet 1996 election. is that this tainty Congress will not It used to be said that, at a minicommenced what are certain to be enact the Clintons’ plan for univerlengthy public hearings. Its House mum, they’ll pass "something", if sal coverage, employer mandates, counterpart, Ways and Means, is well only for face-saving with the voters, and state-run insurance-purchasing into the hearing process. But its who persist in telling the pollsters alliances. But no-one can say with Dan Rostenkowski that their own health care is just fine, chairman, confidence what Congress will do. (Democrat, Illinois), is squirming to but something must be done about avoid a felony indictment on charges the health-care crisis. The Republiof financial misdeeds with House . cans are far from united on what, if Daniel S Greenberg funds, of which he has already repaid US$82 000. If charged with a felony, Problems for new Health Minister Rostenkowski would have to relinquish the chairmanship, depriving the ing collection of antiques, paintings, jewItaly’s general election of March 28, conClintons of their most ducted according to a new system, was ellery, and precious metals, Poggiolini has potent health-care ally in the House. been visiting public offices in quest of his expected to provide a government immeElection day for the entire House diately. In the event it has taken Silvio retirement pension. On May 17, he was and one-third of the Senate is Nov 8. Berlusconi six weeks to form his cabinet spotted hiding behind a newspaper by The "target" date for adjournment is amid bickering and cross-fire between the other, less fortunate pensioners waiting in Oct 7, but intense campaigning, away three main parties of the right-wing a queue, and subjected to vociferous critifrom Washington, will have been majority. In the meantime, former Health cism. Most of the ministers in the Berlusconi under way for a month by that date. Minister Francesco De Lorenzo has been
anything, to But they do
do,
thing
statutory
Italy’s
politically
With slightly differing schedules, : interned in Poggioreale prison and refuses both houses are on holiday recess to answer questions from investigating most celebrated until about the end of the first week judges. Poggioreale’s Duilio Poggiolini, formerly direcinmate, in June. Then they are scheduled to tor of the country’s pharmaceutical service take off another week or so early in and president of the European Committee July and close down from Aug 15 to for Proprietary Medicinal Products, was Sept 6 for the House and Sept 12 for recently released. While investigations continue into the origins of his awe-inspirthe Senate. .
are new to cabinet office. Health Minister, Raffaele Costa, nicknamed "the veteran", is the exception, having occupied first the Ministry of Transport, then the Ministry of Health for two months following De Lorenzo’s disgrace in February, 1993. As Minister of Transport, Costa was known for his unannounced inspections or "blitzes"-
government
1349
do about health reform. agree that it’s important the to avoid do-nothing stance that so little time Health reform: so much to sink Bush, although George helped some prefer not to do much at all. The actuarials of politics assure The calendar draws attention here as Financed by the Republican the Congressional session goes into that voluntary departures and defeats National Committee, the minimalist will bring perhaps 100 new members the homestretch with only one strategy is now showing up on the certain about the fate of health-care to the 435-member House and nation’s TV screens, co-starring Senreform: the Clintons’ cosmic plan for maybe a dozen or more new Senators ate Minority Leader Bob Dole, who reorganising the economics and among the 100 in that body. (A is running hard for the Republican administration of health care is out of record number of physicians, some presidential nomination. Sharing the the running. Congress, however, 35 or 40 of them, are competing this billing with the Senator is a disseems inclined at this point to enact year for seats in the House, which tressed-looking performer, telephonsome reforms. But time is running now contains just two medical docing home to say that he was offered a short, and much remains to be done tors ; the surge is attributed to strong wonderful new job but cannot take it. in the crucial legislative drafting comfeelings on health-care reform.) FolHe is diabetic and, because of this mittees-two in the Senate and three lowing election day, the departing pre-existing condition, would be in the House, none in agreement with legislators linger on in full power denied coverage by the insurance each other or among themselves. To until year’s end, and theoretically company serving the prospective enact a law, the rules require that the could return to attend to health-care employer. On comes Senator Dole, various committee choices will have reform and other unfinished busisaying that Congress can fix the to be amalgamated into a single bill ness. But on critical issues, the voices problem by making health insurance in each house and, finally, into a of lame ducks lack authority. : portable. The basic message is that a The next four months, less all the fix here and there can single bill approved by both houses. : remedy the Tax increases to pay for universal time off for holidays and electioneershortcomings of the health-care syshealth care are rated politically SUICIing, are thus considered crucial for tem, without risking the uncertainties dal. But the alternative, a attaining the long-elusive goal of uniof the massive overhaul proposed by mandate requiring employers to foot versal health insurance. When the the Clintons. most of the costs, has raised serious new members take office in January, The Clintons continue their tireless opposition, particularly among small . who knows what their political makeexhortations on health care, with ralbusinesses, which are doted on in up or mood will be? And if the eleclies, town meetings, visits to hospiCongress as the backbone of enter- tion tilts against the Democrats, tals, and so forth. But the major which is expected, frustrating the decisions will be prise and prosperity. made, or not made, The Senate Finance Committee President will be the basic Republion Capitol Hill, in the next few has been pondering health issues in can strategy in the run-up to the months. At this point, the only cer: private conclaves, and has not yet 1996 election. is that this tainty Congress will not It used to be said that, at a minicommenced what are certain to be enact the Clintons’ plan for univerlengthy public hearings. Its House mum, they’ll pass "something", if sal coverage, employer mandates, counterpart, Ways and Means, is well only for face-saving with the voters, and state-run insurance-purchasing into the hearing process. But its who persist in telling the pollsters alliances. But no-one can say with Dan Rostenkowski that their own health care is just fine, chairman, confidence what Congress will do. (Democrat, Illinois), is squirming to but something must be done about avoid a felony indictment on charges the health-care crisis. The Republiof financial misdeeds with House . cans are far from united on what, if Daniel S Greenberg funds, of which he has already repaid US$82 000. If charged with a felony, Problems for new Health Minister Rostenkowski would have to relinquish the chairmanship, depriving the ing collection of antiques, paintings, jewItaly’s general election of March 28, conClintons of their most ducted according to a new system, was ellery, and precious metals, Poggiolini has potent health-care ally in the House. been visiting public offices in quest of his expected to provide a government immeElection day for the entire House diately. In the event it has taken Silvio retirement pension. On May 17, he was and one-third of the Senate is Nov 8. Berlusconi six weeks to form his cabinet spotted hiding behind a newspaper by The "target" date for adjournment is amid bickering and cross-fire between the other, less fortunate pensioners waiting in Oct 7, but intense campaigning, away three main parties of the right-wing a queue, and subjected to vociferous critifrom Washington, will have been majority. In the meantime, former Health cism. Most of the ministers in the Berlusconi under way for a month by that date. Minister Francesco De Lorenzo has been
anything, to But they do
do,
thing
statutory
Italy’s
politically
With slightly differing schedules, : interned in Poggioreale prison and refuses both houses are on holiday recess to answer questions from investigating most celebrated until about the end of the first week judges. Poggioreale’s Duilio Poggiolini, formerly direcinmate, in June. Then they are scheduled to tor of the country’s pharmaceutical service take off another week or so early in and president of the European Committee July and close down from Aug 15 to for Proprietary Medicinal Products, was Sept 6 for the House and Sept 12 for recently released. While investigations continue into the origins of his awe-inspirthe Senate. .
are new to cabinet office. Health Minister, Raffaele Costa, nicknamed "the veteran", is the exception, having occupied first the Ministry of Transport, then the Ministry of Health for two months following De Lorenzo’s disgrace in February, 1993. As Minister of Transport, Costa was known for his unannounced inspections or "blitzes"-
government
1349