I’m looking for a Senator of courage to do what is right for all Americans…one like those featured in JFK’s “Profiles in Courage”.  It will take someone of rare statesmanship, courage and integrity to do what I suggest.  I am asking a Senator to propose an amendment to the Health Care Bill that will draw the scorn of his peers on both sides of the aisle but the admiration and appreciation of Americans of all political stripes.  Are you that Senator?

I won't get into what I think should be in the final bill.  But whatever way it shakes out it should have a provision in it that would make it a "pilot" program.  It is far too important to put it "into production" before thorough testing.  Simply starting a massive program trusting in ever unreliable government projections and promises is as foolish as ordering 10,000 new jet fighters straight from blueprints without ever testing a prototype.  And here we are talking about a project that affects 15% of GDP.  So when the bill is in its final form test it only on federal employees and the District of Columbia.  At least this microcosm of America is one over which Congress has constitutional jurisdiction.  It also includes many non-federal employees and the usual cross-section of large and small businesses (including private insurance companies, hospitals and clinics) and tax payers from the lowest to the highest brackets.  Including Congress in the pilot program assures maximum public support as it demonstrates that Congress is not looking for the usual preferential treatment denied to their constituencies and they are willing to take the medicine they prescribe.  It will also give Congress a first-hand experience of how well the bill works in their own real world in addition to the feed back they will surely receive from federal employees and the citizens of DC.  Of course, the bill should specify how long the pilot program should be in effect along with definite standards of achievement for evaluation.  Regardless of the bill Congress decides on we will be venturing into unchartered territory fraught with many possible unintended consequences.  It is folly to impose an untested health care bill that, in spite of all good intentions, may well be a fiasco on all 50 states before testing it.  We employ this common sense approach in the health industry every time a new pharmaceutical is developed.  FDA approval only follows rigid testing.  Should we do less when a cure for all that ails our health care system is proposed?   Should we not test in the real world a reform that will affect 15% of our economy and every American from the womb to the tomb?