Health Care: Obama's Deal

Looking back on what most surely defined the Obama administration so far, we see the Health Care Bill. For some (including me), it was a necessary bill that, although weakened, was a victory. For others, it was the sign of what they feared the most: Government take over, Washington insiders, backroom deals, and a whole lotta other stuff. Now a new documentary by Frontline examines the steps taken to pass the ever controversial bill, from the initial steps to the death of the late Edward Kennedy to the final passing of the Bill.



Leading the charge was President Obama, whose idealistic ideas were played out Washington Style. One of the greatest criticisms of the Obama administration has been their apparent forceful nature behind the bill. Although some of these concerns seem justified, such as the deals with the pharmaceutical companies and the apparent intimidation and bribing of the members of Congress, largely be people such as Rahm Emanual, this film seems to beg the question as to whether this is how Washington has to work. For a bill of this nature, and the backlash from the GOP, which has constantly voted against everything Obama has to offer, it appears that such forcefulness is necessary, to a point.

Some of these strategies do seem extreme and harmful, especially to Obama's polls. Although his popularity is not necessarily a sign of how good a President he is, these deals do appear to be against his original promises. However, although many blame Obama for the partisan nature of Washington right now, that's the its always been. Look at Lyndon B. Johnson, famous for his "Johnson Treatment". Also, the down right refusal to cooperate from the Republicans adds tremendously to the answer of why such actions were taken. With pressure from the insurance companies, who refused to cooperate unless there was a mandate forcing all American citizens to buy health insurance, it is a wonder the bill ever passed.

So why make a documentary on such the subject so soon after the bill was passed? Well, part of it is that it serves the public, showing them the under-workings of how our Government, specifically the Health care bill works. However, this film did not go into the reasons why the bill was created, which would have given a greater perspective to the situation. The film also nicely incorporates media with interviews. This technique, where clips of news reporters and journalists speaking are put over images of Washington, is very affective in showing reaction and would work nicely in my coming documentaries.