Not be the first time something like this has happened in Washington.

Like all entitlements in spite of a massive failing it is near impossible to get rid of. Our Democratic Governor sent letters to Obama using it as an example of what would happen.

The effect that doesn’t make the papers is that it pays physicians less than even Medicare does so most private physicians will not accept it. Those who accepted it could not afford to keep their doors open and either consolidated with another practice or simply went to work for a hospital. Those who wouldn’t accept TennCare left areas with high numbers of enrollees (poorer areas) leaving impoverished areas with even less access to medical services then they had before and causing our ERs to become congested in metro Nashville. As such if you ever come to TN you will notice most of your wealthier areas are loaded with doctors and your metro areas have only hospitals. TennCare altered the market dynamic.

1. Necessity – “The poor NEED this program…”
2. Dependency – “If they cut this program, women and children will starve…”
3. Urgency – “We need this NOW or women and children will be in the streets starving by next week…”

“1″ and “3″ are not being expressed by the public. Here are various poll numbers with in the last six months: 85% are satisfied with their current health insurance. 76% favor the free market (up from 53% in ‘08) 61% don’t want a new healthcare system. 49% want to opt out of Medicare. And we’ve all seen the numbers of how a clear majority oppose this legislation, with even its supporters souring on it. Moreover, this doesn’t kick in till 2014, but the taxes hit sooner.

Here’s what should be said on the campaign trail, “This plan is going to wreck healthcare and the Democrats did it to you. We need to stop it before it kicks in.” And again, I reference my own tax credit scheme for getting people off of Medicare and Medicaid. Typical tactics don’t work against it, because it has a credible answer to every challenge.