A Tale of Two Representatives: Healthcare
and Harrisburg
Disclaimer:
for reasons having to do with the delicacy of lobbying state
legislators I am withholding the names of the persons involved here.
Let's just say that this sort of interaction has occurred with some
regularity in my experience meeting with and speaking to over 140
State Senators and State House Members.
Okay -- imagine yourself sitting down for a
scheduled meeting with a self-described "Liberal Democrat" (LD) and
then later bumping into a self-described "Libertarian Republican" (LR)
-- both of whom energetically discuss the "Family and Business
Healthcare Security" with you for 30 minutes in Pennsylvania's state
capitol building.
Early in the appointed conversation with the LD you find yourself
confronted with the following emphatic comment: "I know how things
work up here, and you'll never pass your single-payer legislation in
this state! No chance. No way."
Early in the impromptu discussion with the LR you find yourself
presented with a blunt statement: "I agree with the concept of
single-payer but wonder how it can be achieved without diminishing
quality or busting the budget."
In the middle course of the scheduled meeting with the LD you hear
something that might set off alarm bells if you were anywhere other
than the state capitol: "Okay, a merger by the Blues [IBX of
Philadelphia and Highmark of Pittsburgh] would constitute a large
share of the market -- okay, I'll accept your 53% figure -- but
that's good because they'll be more efficient and pass along the
savings to the consumer."
Halfway through the unappointed exchange with the LR you see his
look of disbelief and then hear the words that match: "What? You
can't get the state government to finance an economic impact study
on your single-payer legislation? That's crazy. What would it run?
... $75,000? Is that all? I'll help you find the money."
At the conclusion of the scheduled gathering with the LD the Member
rises from his chair, looks at and walks past your extended hand,
and then informs you: "You'll never get where you want to go. Okay,
you have 37 co-sponsors* but there are 203 Members in this chamber."
[*HB 1870 has 8 co-sponsors and the GOP healthcare savings account
bill has yet to be introduced.]
After stating that you need to pick up your kids at school on the
eastern end of the state, the LR says: "First, I want you to come to
my office down the hall." Upon entering the Member's office
reception area, he escorts you into his spacious conference
room/office. After a few more minutes of cordial exchange, he
fetches his business card across the room and offers: "Feel free to
use my office, whether I'm here or not, anytime you're in the
capitol. I believe in what you're doing and want to be as helpful as
I possibly can be."
I hope my stories provide you with the most valuable insight I have
gained in my 15 months serving as executive director of Healthcare
for All Pennsylvania. That is, be ready to listen to and respond to
any legislator or aide willing to engage in conversation about our
healthcare crisis past, present, and future. From one moment to the
next, you never know what you'll learn and you never know what
bridges you are building.
Yours in unity,
Chuck Pennacchio
Executive Director
Health Care for All Pennsylvania
(click
here for your Lobbying Action Kit)
