I remember an infamous Newt Gingrich quote from his days as House majority leader. He told Republicans that they had to block health care reform because if it succeeded Democrats would get the credit. So much for putting families first.

Republicans continue to fight health care reform for such partisan reasons — and because their friends in the insurance industry fear any effort to rein in their exorbitant profits. Insurance industry profits soared following Katrina with “now you see it, now you don’t” coverage.  With Katrina, their business model changed to stiffing and stonewalling with legal tricks and delaying tactics.  Instead of paying legitimate claims, they found it more profitable to hire clever lawyers.

Obama’s health care legislation would at least end the practice of denying coverage based on flimsy definitions of “preexisting” conditions.

Gene Bullock
Poulsbo