The Great Health-Care Debate

Abstract

Little in the way of positive action or change of opinions occurred in the 103rd Congress concerning health-care reform. Issues became more and more confused, the positions frozen in place, and debates that began with political wrangling fell to even lower levels, with an attempt at the very end by a few Senators to arrive at some kind of bipartisan proposal that could be voted on. The bipartisan proposals were rebuffed by both conservatives and liberals, representatives of both poles preferred, finally, to do nothing rather than surrender any part of their position. The failure of any bipartisan coalition, plus the impending national elections (to which the members of the Senate and House wanted to devote full attention), led to an adjournment in the Senate without a vote on any finished bill, and to no debate at all in the House. The election losses suffered by the Democrats have been attributed by some analysts to the lack of success of the health-care plan, who claim that the proceedings created dissatisfaction on the part of the public regarding centralized governmental control of daily affairs.