Spent the morning arguing health care over at the Cato event -- a panel discussion that I was surprised to find advertised in the literature handed out by the anti-Moore protesters at last night's DC premiere of Sicko (review forthcoming). I am a tool of the right-wing! In this case, though, the right-wing was a kid dressed like Castro and six nurses in miniskirts. Apparently, under socialism, nurses turn slutty and Castro grows young. Back in the real world, an actual nurse in line behind me tsk-tsk'd at the girls. "No nurse in any system could work in those high heels," she said.
The panel this morning was useful, even if I don't have a whole ton to say about it. I find arguing health care to be a relief, as the facts are so resolutely aligned in favor of further integration and public involvement. Immigration is much tougher, and less clear-cut. What always strikes me at these panels, though, is how much agreement there really is. Michael Cannon and I would build very different systems, to be sure, but at base, we both believe the employer tie to be awful, and the insurers to suck, and the hospitals to be performing below expectations, and on, and on. The obstacles to reform are not intellectual disagreement or policy uncertainties -- they're interest groups trying to protect a system that benefits them.
Now I have to blog, write two separate articles (including a review of Sicko), and finish it all by 4:30, when I'm going on Hardball tonight (more info on that as I get it). Hoo boy.
