New York Health Roundtable

Health Care is dead. Marc Lindsay from the Livingston Group was on the Obama transition team and although a supporter of President Obama feels that Congress and Obama blew it when trying to get Health Care thru Congress. In particular, he feels a strong division between Congress and the White House in clarifying direction for the plan once both houses approved their own versions. He now sees a move towards consumerism and moving the consumer closer to decision making by paying more of the bill and HSA and MSA plans becoming more popular. Unlike Congress, he cited the President as not understanding the electorate and being headstrong. Congress in looking for leadership is increasingly worried re their lack of favor and worried about upcoming elections. Maybe some parts can be added as amendments, but he sees no major overhaul. He does look for increased regulation for Congress and the President to gain favor with electorate.