One last pull for health care reform

Tomorrow's bipartisan summit with Obama and leaders of Congress may well be the last chance for health care reform. Obama will unveil his health care plan, and the Congressional leaders will have the opportunity to voice their issues and concerns. Tomorrow is conducive to spurring the legislation in Congress because of the following: 1) the president is getting personally involved; 2) major leaders of Congress, not whole quorums, are present; and 3) the public will be watching. First, Obama should take a more active role in pushing for health care reform. Thus far, his hands-off, pragmatic approach has failed, and Congress needs someone to spur them to action. Second, dealing with leaders gives the president leeway and means to influence. He will not work directly with legislators who are at best indifferent, at worst worried more about their midterm elections. Third, the public finally can watch the health care debate live and in person. Knowing that their constituents and the American people are interpreting their every word gives the group members more incentives to not sit on the fence. Let's hope for meaningful accomplishments and results from tomorrow's meeting that will put health care back on the agenda.