As of yet, you may not have heard much about Rep. Steve Kagen, D-Wis. But you soon will. The freshman congressman has only been in office since 2006, yet through strong acts of leadership he is already confirming that he embodies our state?s progressive tradition. Learning about his career, as well as having the opportunity to meet and interview him, has made me even more confident of Wisconsin?s ability to lead the burgeoning progressive movement and even more proud of Wisconsin values.
Mr. Kagen?s work on health care reform is the most indicative sign of his potential to be a historic progressive leader. During Mr. Kagen?s 30-year medical career, he received such accolades as being voted by Wisconsin physicians as one of the ?Best Doctors in America,? and his experience has given him a unique and important perspective for the coming fight for universal health care. He has already utilized this perspective by crafting legislation to help frame the debate in the sensible, pragmatic manner that is oh-so indicative of Wisconsin culture.
Mr. Kagen has plans to present his ?No Discrimination in Health Care Act? in a hearing this spring, and coming from such a credible source, it just might shift public opinion closer to embracing universal health care. His proposed bill stipulates it will ?guarantee access to affordable care for every citizen by bringing an end to the discriminatory practice of allowing insurance companies to deny life-saving medical coverage to citizens due to any pre-existing medical conditions.? By framing it as ?discrimination? when health insurance is denied to citizens with pre-existing conditions, Mr. Kagen has cut to the root of the problem by exposing the un-American and heartless nature of preventing those already in need from receiving affordable care.
During our interview, Mr. Kagen explained that he wants to ?take the constitutional framework and apply it to health care, then identify the essential elements that have to be in a package that covers everyone.? He emphasized it is essential to apply a constitutional rights claim to some instance of denied health care if our civil rights are to be respected, as ?the constitution does guarantee every citizen the protection against discrimination and from being cherry-picked out.?
This sensible argument highlights the lunacy of a health care system that leaves 47 million Americans lacking health insurance in compellingly stark terms. It is currently illegal for insurance companies to single out blacks, women or homosexuals and deny them coverage. However, it is perfectly legal for insurers to deny Americans already suffering from pre-existing conditions ? the faction whose need for health care is the most pressing. This state of affairs is truly a national embarrassment.
Mr. Kagen?s bill could possibly also lower prices for those who have insurance, as it ensures ?every citizen is allowed to pay the lowest price available? by mandating an open disclosure of all prices. Mr. Kagen explained how our current health care system has become a managed marketplace devoid of competition, all due to the fact there is not an ?open and transparent medical marketplace where insurance companies have to show you the price, and that is going to be the price for everyone.?
To say the least, the prospects of Mr. Kagen applying his medical savvy to related public policy has me excited about his congressional future. Our health care system is in a state of crisis, and the input from one of America?s preeminent physicians in the halls of Congress could not come at a more crucial time.
However, perhaps directly because of these prospects, Karl Rove has placed Mr. Kagen atop his list of congressmen he?d like to unseat. There is no doubt this strategy in and of itself is yet another sign of Mr. Kagen?s promising progressive nature.
It would be a travesty for both Wisconsin and the rest of the nation if we were to lose a progressive champion with such promising potential to impact the health care debate. It is essential for Mr. Kagen to weather such rank propaganda and be re-elected this fall. With any luck, he will be successful in continuing his work in the vein of Wisconsin?s progressive legacy by playing an integral role in achieving universal health care.
Harry Waisbren ([email protected]) is a senior majoring in communication arts.
