It seemed like an impossible task. Let’s face it, Republicans have both a consistent message and the means to disseminate. But today, after reading a column by Robert Reich with the following money quote (h/t Pith in the Wind’s Bruce Barry), I had what’s known (to me anyway) as a “Reichian Revelation.” I realized that for Tennessee Democrats, this is so much bigger and more important then getting out the message about health security for all:

“The most important difference between America’s Democratic left and Republican right is that the left has ideas and the right has discipline. Obama and progressive supporters of health care were outmaneuvered in August — not because the right had any better idea for solving the health care mess but because the rights’ attack on the Democrats’ idea was far more disciplined than was the Democrats’ ability to sell it.”

With that in mind I have one word for you, Tennessee Democrats.

Just one word.

Are you listening?

Messaging Infrastructure.

OK, that’s two words. Whatever. The simple fact is that you need to build a messaging infrastructure and you need to build it fast.

What is a messaging infrastructure? It’s a consistent, simple message for every issue that will come up during the 2010 election cycle – jobs, education, healthcare, guns, gods, gays, etc.. Then, once you have your messaging infrastructure crafted, you must build a solid infrastructure with your members i.e. candidates, elected officials, party spokespeople, caucus leaders, executive committee members, county chairs, etc.. and they must all – every single one – use the same exact messaging. No exceptions.

You see, Reich is right. It’s about discipline. They have it. We don’t. And worse, we make excuses and jokes (Will Rogers, anyone?) about not having it.

Look at your counterparts across the aisle. Do the more moderate Republicans ever criticized the extremists? Do the extremists ever call the moderate members out for not supporting their more crazy legislative efforts? No and No.

Now, name me the three things Republicans stand for. Go on. You know you can. Are they specific? Are they nuanced? Are they freakin’ more than a couple of words each? No, no and hell no.

Senator Andy Berke was on the right track back in January of this year when he wrote in the Chattanooga Times Free Press:

If there is one fundamental, philosophical divide between Democrats and Republicans in our Legislature, it is over state government’s role in addressing these concerns. If you’re struggling in this economy, Republicans believe you’re on your own.

Democrats view things differently. Democrats believe we should use the tools of government to provide a platform of equal opportunity for all. While each individual’s success ultimately is his or her own responsibility, Democrats believe each individual’s likelihood of success will grow if we come together to provide good schools, safe neighborhoods, sound infrastructure and a clean environment.

Republicans: You’re on Your Own
Democrats: Equal Opportunity for All

Which sounds better? And what rural Democrat and his/her constituents wouldn’t be able to get behind it?

You have to do it and do it now. As President Clinton said last Saturday night, “Don’t stay on the defensive, play offense.”

And, I might add, the best offense is one where you don’t allow the other team to call you plays. In other words, stop using their terms to talk about important issues. (Yes, I’m talking to you Ty Cobb 2.0.)

More on Jackson Day from LeftWingCracker, Tom Humphrey of the Knoxville News Sentinel, Vibinc, Goldni, Southern Liberal Living, Sean Braisted, Rick Locker for Memphis Commericial Appeal, Left in Alabama, Southern Beale, Jeff Woods for the Nashville Scene, and Bill Nichols for Politico.

I recently resigned from an employer to start a new business. Having a thorough personal understanding of the importance of health insurance (ranking it just underneath food and just ahead of rent/mortgage in terms of financial priorities), I planned to enroll in an individual plan. I also have a pre-existing condition, which makes any change to my insurance circumstances somewhat of a hurdle. So right now, I face:

• getting approved for the individual plan for which I applied, albeit delayed while underwriters (at the same provider!) re-review my medical and health history because of my pre-existing condition, which has never resulted in the need for access to healthcare
• or, getting denied for the individual plan for which I applied, forcing me to rely on COBRA, which not only is extremely expensive but also expires after 18 months

At the moment, my situation is not an emergency. It could become extremely expensive in the short term if I’m denied for the individual plan for which I applied, but I’m not too worried about being declared to be uninsurable, although that is a slight risk, as it is for all Americans. But is this health security?

And this brings me to my point. The primary reason we need health insurance reform in America right now is to ensure that Americans have adequate health security in a world with better diagnostics and rising healthcare costs. As life expectancy has increased, so has medical technology and information improved. We know more about chronic conditions now, and we have data that gives us a better grip on epidemiology. And there are epidemics. Everything from diabetes to cancer. And right now we operate in a world where, for most Americans, health insurance benefits are a function of employment and employers, and private insurers prefer working with groups rather than individuals, from among whom they’re quite satisfied cherry picking.

Here’s the thing about healthcare. Unless we achieve some type of actual health insurance reform, every single one of the 47 million uninsured Americans who is uninsured because they are uninsurable as designated by a private insurance company will continue to lack access to health insurance until they have spent down their assets–cash, house, investments–to poverty level, which allows them to qualify for Medicaid. They must then remain at a function of the federal poverty line– lest they become ineligible for Medicaid–until they qualify for Medicare at age 65. The alternative is to keep one’s assets and hope that one can just keep living long enough to survive visits to the emergency room when things get really terrible because that’s the only place that has a mandate, and the mandate is just to stabilize emergency conditions. And don’t forget: They’ll still bill you later.

So let’s be clear: Every American who gets an unexpected diagnosis just before changing jobs, or while covered under COBRA, lives with the extreme risk that they will lose access to insurance. Every American who actually has private insurance, maybe even likes their plan, might not realize that that plan likely carries a lifetime maximum in terms of what the policy covers. Maybe $1m. Maybe $5m. Or an annual maximum. Or a high enough deductible that, if an injury or illness preventing work occurs, might become punitive when extended across 30 years.

Our system of healthcare in America right now is the best in the world… for healthy Americans! For unhealthy Americans, it becomes a nearly guaranteed system of oppression. This is why some form of universal healthcare is a necessity. Because anything short of that is a systematic short circuit of the American dream for anyone who winds up injured or ill. This is why we’re all in this together. This is why we either need to pool our risk in a national consensus of some kind to ensure that no unhealthy American is left behind. Or we need a better idea that I haven’t yet heard.

So I want to hear from a Republican who opposes anything a Democrat proposes regarding health insurance reform: What do you say to the 47 million Americans without access to health insurance? What do you say to the hundreds of millions of Americans who are not independently wealthy and rely on meaningful health security to remain healthy and working? I get that you want to give ‘em all a tax credit. I get that. I’ve read John Mackey’s 8 Whole Foods Half Healthcare reforms that would lower costs, and not a single one of ‘em solves the problem of access to insurance when you’re uninsurable. So what else ya got, Republicans, because a tax credit ain’t gonna cut it in terms of keeping 47 million Americans out of poverty and ensuring that all Americans have health security. But I get this sneaking suspicion that you don’t actually care.

In the meantime, the Affordable Health Choices Act (in the Senate) and America’s Affordable Health Choices Act (in the House) provide an opportunity to expand health security to millions more Americans. Consider contacting Lamar Alexander, Bob Corker, and Jim Cooper and encouraging them to support these bills.

Summary: Guest Reesa Webb and our Celebration of Health!

A Celebration of Health – Part 1 The “to do” list of upcoming healthcare rallies, excerpts from President Clinton’s Jackson Day speech, recap of Thirdrailcost.com symposium, why we need health security for all, the Little League World Series (USA!), a phone call from the world famous Dave Cloud, and the mainstream news media gets distracted by bright, shiny objects. [24MB download mp3]
Download audio file (liberadio20090831part1.mp3)

A Celebration of Health – Part 2 Freddie shares his story on his current search for health security, we interview Reesa Webb, project director for John Snow, Inc. (the company contracted to assess the current delivery of health care to the medically underserved and indigent population in Nashville), “The Cause of My Life,” by Teddy Kennedy, your phone calls, and the discussion continues on why we need health security for all continues: choice, affordability, efficiency, accountability, and investment in our people. [21MB download mp3]
Download audio file (liberadio20090824part2.mp3)

A number of related items finally created the perfect storm for me this weekend, and I took action.

Congressman Cooper,

I have watched with admiration as you have persisted in encouraging your colleagues and your fellow Americans to give serious consideration to the Healthy Americans Act during this debate about healthcare reform. I gave it serious consideration, and I believe it is a strong bill.

Recently, though, three things have happened in my life that have caused me to write to you to ask you to support America’s Affordable Health Choices Act, HR 3200.

1. I recently elected to resign a full-time job that provided me with health insurance. I have a pre-existing medical condition, and I am now having difficulty insuring continuity of coverage. I must either wait to discover the whims of underwriters, likely past the point of expiration of my current coverage, or I must exercise my HIPAA rights, causing a dramatic increase in my premiums.

2. I saw Pres. Clinton and Vice Pres. Gore speak at the Jackson Day dinner here in Tennessee. Their remarks spoke powerfully to the need for healthcare reform now.

3. I read Sen. Kennedy’s statement about the HELP Committee’s passage of the Affordable Health Choices Act after his recent death, and I am convinced that he found it to be an acceptable final compromise for “the cause of his life”: universal healthcare for Americans.

I trust you to do all you can to strengthen this bill for American patients and would-be patients who are in dire need of health security. I know because I’m one of them.

Best regards and thank you for your service,
Freddie O’Connell