Mosey Principles include "Slow Down, Pay Attention, Be Informed and Act Accordingly." The Sleeping Giant of We The People and an increasing number of our elected representatives are awakening to the realities of governance versus political campaigns. And though it's a wrenching process, more of us are becoming better informed and are holding ourselves and OUR government accountable. The stakes are high, but citizens, advocacy groups and the media are stepping up their games. This constructive energy is critical as we address many important issues. But today let's focus on one key issue: affordable, accessible healthcare.

On Promises and Politics

A reminder that I'm an Independent, having worked, raised money and voted in both major parties. So I'm not a sour grapes Hillary supporter. I'm striving to be a bipartisan or nonpartisan political observer, tapping the wisdom of thoughtful officials and pundits from several ideologies to inform my understanding of the issues and their evolving contexts.

Affordable Care Act>Obamacare>American Health Care Act>Trumpcare

The Republican Party has been obsessed with repealing "Obamacare." It never was a perfect or perfectly comprehensive initiative. But let's not forget that the Rs refused the opportunity to participate in its creation, having sworn to reject/stalemate any Obama initiatives. They were being obstructionist in Washington while Republican governors were refusing Medicaid funds in several States. A short-sighted political ploy that has come back to haunt them. Then they voted over 60 times to repeal the ACA during the Obama Administration, but never got anywhere because they had no better plan to present. Truth be told, few of them had any idea what the complex plan represented. So they denounced in lockstep script. They just couldn't stand the Obama affiliation.

Now Trump is trying to make good on his "promise" to repeal and replace, without a thoughtful plan to exchange. When he started facing BIPARTISAN roadblocks, he publicly stated that "healthcare is more complicated than I thought." (I would interject "Duh," but that would not be respectful.) A promise is as good as the credibility of the source of that promise. We're now seeing the collision of political spin and practical reality. His staff and a dwindling number of his base insist that he's "making good on his promises." But he's just transferred the hollow campaign promises into hollow Executive Order language with little or no concrete action. Many of his own Party and some Cabinet members are distancing themselves from these behaviors and destructive rhetoric.

LET's Add The PEOPLE EMPHASIS

We've got to reconcile partisan politics with the public interest. We deserve a basic level of accessible, affordable healthcare for all citizens. This was the intent of Medicare and Medicaid, but Republican ideologues are touting the Ayn Randian benefits of "personal choice" insurance options rather than the collective security of a mandated or government sponsored umbrella. Our weakened economy would discourage many folks from buying health insurance. Thus, little preventive care, more trips to the emergency room and higher costs for everyone. Health insurance is a critical necessity for every citizen. Not to mention it's a warped sense of priorities that would gut healthcare coverage while adding to an already bloated defense budget. We should expect the insurers, the medical community and the major pharmaceutical companies to all come to the table to address these challenges.

A Personal Perspective

Years ago my younger son passed after a two-year battle with cancer. As young parents, we could never have afforded the costs of treatment without a good corporate health insurance plan. We wound up with considerable credit card debt, but were spared the potentially destructive financial liability that was covered by health insurance. Ironically, our grandson is in the hopeful recovery phase from a serious illness, totally unrelated to our son's disease. But again, my son and his wife could never have afforded the wonderful care from the Dell Children's Hospital team without good health insurance. We all were blessed to have this coverage and EVERY citizen deserves no less. When Paul Ryan brags that a reduction in government costs for health coverage would mean a reduction in our national budget deficit, we should all quickly denounce that heartless equation. He and his family have an abundance of health insurance coverage. We can't allow our elected officials to forsake compassion and common sense for the bottom line.

SOME MOSEY SUGGESTIONS

--This is one of our most important issues. Seek to be better informed.

--Initiate relevant conversations with family, friends and colleagues.

--Express the importance of comprehensive healthcare to your elected representatives.

--Support credible advocacy groups who are toiling in these vineyards.

--Encourage healthy lifestyle programs in your businesses & neighborhood schools.

--Be proactive with your own health and fitness

LET'S MOSEY!