Acid Test- Clarity On Health Care

An oft repeated cause for concern with the proposed health care reforms is in the vagueness of the intended actions. It has been said that it is written in such a way that one could interpret it to mean anything. And, with its exhausting length, most people, including those who we sent to represent us, have not read the proposal. Among those I've met who have read it, the other common complaint is in the intractable language, which adds to its vagueness, as one Congressman said, it takes a team of lawyers to understand it.

“I love these members, they get up and say, ‘Read the bill,’” said Conyer “What good is reading the bill if it’s a thousand pages and you don’t have two days and two lawyers to find out what it means after you read the bill?”

Another contentious aspect is the haste with which it was to be enacted.

The answer is obvious. Slow down. Be specific. Be clear. Be brief.

There is little trust between the adherents of the two major Parties these days. Naturally.

That reality can serve us well if the author or any proposed legislation will keep in mind that at some point their political opposites will be in power and if a policy is written in a form that is open to interpretation they will one day have to live by the interpretation given by their opposition. So, it is in their best interest to make sure that they use precision and clarity. It isn't good enough for a politician to say something is or isn't in the Bill, spell it out with specificity, figuratively carve it in stone for all to see for all time. And, then give everyone (citizen and Representative alike) plenty of time to read, understand it, discuss it, and respond before you vote on it.