Health Care Reform and Tom Daschle
The Future of Health Care in an Obama Administration
On November 19th 2008, it was confirmed that former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) would be tapped to serve as both the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the “health care czar” of the White House, Obama’s point man for health care issues. The decision was applauded by advocates of health care reform who viewed the decision as an indication that the incoming Obama administration was prepared to make an aggressive effort to come through on the campaign promise of affordable health care for every American.
Health care reform was a central component of Barack Obama’s campaign platform. Millions of Americans were inspired by his vision of a health care system that would combine private health insurance with affordable premiums, and, for the estimated 45 million uninsured Americans, public health care with the same benefits enjoyed by federal employees. However, in the wake of Obama’s victory, pundits have questioned whether Obama could make good on his promise for health care reform with a deteriorating economy. Tom Daschle’s appointment may lay those questions to rest.
Tom Daschle rose to prominence in the Democratic party during his four terms in the House of Representatives. He was elected to the Senate in 1986, and served until 2005 alternating between Senate Majority and Senate Minority Leader. Tom Daschle has a recognized reputation in the House and Senate for reaching across party lines, and navigating complicated political dynamics. Commentators note that he was not appointed to the post of HHS, and “health care czar” for management skills, but rather to push a health care plan drafted in the White House through Congress.
Tom Daschle will have a central role in drafting Obama’s health care plan, and has provided a blueprint to the legislation he intends to introduce in his book Critical: What We Can Do About the Health Care Crisis, released February 2008. His book weaves together the heartbreaking stories of Americans struggling with their health care coverage, and the political and economic factors that dominate the ailing health care system. His book stands apart from a common expose of the impact of private interests on the current health care system, because it provides a viable solution to some well-examined problems.
The foundation stone of Daschle’s health care plan is the creation of a Federal Health Care Board that would have regulatory oversight of the health care system. The Health Care Board is modeled on the Federal Reserve Board, and would be responsible for setting standards, ensuring transparency, and monitoring the performance of the health care industry. The legislative process to create the entity began on Sept. 27, 2007 with the introduction of Senate Bill 2105: the Federal Health Care Board Act of 2007, and is currently sitting in the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions for review.
Daschle’s appointment is a clear sign that Barack Obama is taking his campaign promise on health care reform seriously. However, Daschle’s appointment challenges one of Obama’s other campaign pledges; to have a Cabinet free from conflicts of interests. Barack Obama stated that none of his appointees will, “be permitted to work on regulations or contracts directly and substantially related to their prior employer for two years.” Since leaving the Senate, Daschle has worked as a Special Public Policy Adviser for the Alston & Bird law firm, and served as a member of their Legislative and Public Policy Group. Daschle specialized in providing advice to clients from the health care industry.
Tom Daschle in Los Lunas, NM '08
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