Charlie Crist's View On Health Care Reform

Even though The Midnight Review endorsed Charlie Crist's run for Florida's senate seat, there was one big thing that bothered me regarding his campaign - his desire to repeal the health care reform bill.  Nathan Spicer at Sunshine State News had recently posted the six different positions Crist had held regarding health care, and they are as follows:

Position 1: Crist called for repeal the night the House passed the health care bill.
On March 21, the Associated Press reported that Crist hopes to get elected in November "to help repeal the bill and bring a commonsense approach to health care reform."

Position 2: In July, Crist tells The Wall Street Journal that he does not support repealing Obamacare.
On July 20, Peter Wallsten of The Wall Street Journal wrote, "Mr. Crist has made other policy shifts. Despite pledging as a Republican to help repeal President Obama's health-care overhaul, Mr. Crist now says he does not support such a move.”

Position 3: Crist tells The Wall Street Journal that those calling for repeal are only giving in to the primary “purity test”
Wallsten told Crist, "When the bill was passed, you called for its repeal." To which Charlie countered, "Well, I wanted it to be changed ... People get caught up in 'I'm going to say it's going to be repealed' ... That's part of the purity test."

Position 4: Crist says his position on Obamacare has been “confused” and he does support “repeal.”
On July 29, the governor wrote on charliecrist.com, "The Obama health-care bill was too big, too expensive, and expanded the role of government far too much. Had I been in the United States Senate at the time, I would have voted against the bill because of unacceptable provisions like the cuts to the Medicare Advantage program. But being an independent, I have the freedom to be an honest broker for the people of Florida without regard for political party, and the reality is this: Despite its serious flaws, the Obama health-care bill does have some positive aspects. Repeal must be accompanied by a responsible substitute."

Of course you already know what happened today (see paragraphs 2-4), which account for positions five and six.

Now I don't expect to agree with every candidate out there, and I don't find Democrat Kendrick Meek worth my vote solely to protect "Obamacare," but Crist's response to the health care question had bothered me - I suppose I could have asked him when I met him last week but I was more interested in observing the campaign stop and seeing his interactions with those around him.  I also didn't have any questions prepared since it was a last minute decision to attend the event.


I did however look into his "positions" regarding health care reform and found this particular article, intended on debunking Marco Rubio's claims, on his website (which Spicer's article referenced):

FACT CHECK: Recent reports in the media have confused my position on the Obama health care bill.

The Obama health care bill was too big, too expensive, and expanded the role of government far too much. Had I been in the United States Senate at the time, I would have voted against the bill because of unacceptable provisions like the cuts to the Medicare Advantage program. But being an independent, I have the freedom to be an honest broker for the people of Florida without regard for political party, and the reality is this: despite its serious flaws, the Obama health care bill does have some positive aspects.

Repeal must be accompanied by a responsible substitute — repeal without passage of a substitute law protecting those with pre-existing conditions, closing the prescription drug donut hole for seniors, and allowing parents to keep their children on their insurance coverage until age 26 would be wrong. While I would not have supported the legislation, we have to recognize the positive components and work together across party lines to make our health care system more affordable for both consumers and the government.

This debate must not be about political posturing; it must be about protecting the people of Florida and America, and I intend to do that hard work when I get to the United States Senate.

Basically, I disagree with Crist's first paragraph but agree with his second - especially the part about repealing without a replacement.  I personally believe the right, and Crist, should drop "repeal" from their repertoire and focus on "ammend."  The health care bill was not a difinitive bill - I view it as a stepping stone to bigger and better things.  I agree that getting rid of it with no clear alternative would be irresponsible, and downright dangerous, and this is why I prefer Crist over the Republican and teabag choice Marco Rubio.

The only problem I have with Crist's handling of this issue is that his campaign has handled it poorly.  I understamd that Crist is a politician, and politicians will say anything to get elected, but come on - in the day and age of the internet and instant soundbites, Crist should have been more careful with his "story."  I understand that thoughts and opinions can evolve over time, but if Crist wants to get the trust of the state behind him, he needs to show some resolve - you know, the kind the GOP exercises on every little issue, even when they are wrong.

I also like the fact that Crist had recognized that certain aspects of the health care bill are good, although he has failed to indicate precisely which ones are worth keeping...