Reflections on policy and governing: the case of Monday's health care summits

Over at Minnesota Campaign Report, our friend Joe Bodell looks at the connections between Politics and Policy and Blogs, oh my! .  Bodell begins:

There are definitely sites and writers out there who focus heavily (insome cases, to a fault) on partisan politics with absolutely no regard for the meaning of what those political games lead to: public policy. Legislation. Laws. The things that govern the way members of our society deal with and treat each other.

Those writers' (after all in some cases, it's not really fair to call them "bloggers") motivations are theirs, but even on a site with "Campaign" in its name, it's important to talk issues.

Especially when a local newspaper's editorial board pens a piece entitled "Socialized health will be good for small biz".

Not "Single-Payer."  Not "Universal." And not just an urban paper that's been taking ridiculous flak for accusations of liberal bias for years.  No, the Albert Lea Tribune is calling for Socialized Health Care and speaking pretty plainly about it...

Bodell goes on to point out that a frequent complaint of the Republican Party of Minnesota and its minions is that Congressman Walz is out of touch with his district, having somehow absorbed the Beltway into his bloodstream, rather than the opinions of the thousands of constituents who've shown up at his summits, town hall meetings, listening sessions, store stops, and hundreds of other gatherings throughout the district on issues ranging from farm policy, veterans benefits, the war in Iraq, energy policy, small business development, education--well, readers can get the picture.

It's hard to figure how a guy who spends so much time meeting with his constituents in out of touch, but then, it's the Republicans' job to make the case. Good luck on that.

Bodell perceptively points to yesterday's New York Times article about how Walz's social studies teaching methods allowed his high school students in Alliance, Nebraska, to consider a problem (genocide) in order to predict.  Back then, Walz and his students had to stand by helplessly and watch as the horror they predicted as an academic exercise came to pass in Rwanda.  Now, as a congressman, Walz brings the method to governing--and to working with people on crafting solutions.

Walz often says that he asks his constituents to stand beside him, and the many meetings reflect that style of governing.  While the Albert Lea Tribune calls for socialized medicine, other opinion leaders in the district don't share that conclusion; Mayo's health care policy center has recommended universal requirements for health insurance, for instance.  There's a broad spectrum of opinion throughout the district. 

Walz continues to help faciliate the discussion, seeking expert and lay opinion alike.  He'll be holding two Health Care Economic Summits on Monday, in Owatonna and Winona. Like all of his economic summits, the events are free and open to the public. From the congressional office:

(Owatonna & Winona, MN)- On Monday, April 28th Congressman Tim Walz will host two Healthcare Economic Summits to discuss the challenges of and possible solutions to the complex health care problems in our country. 

Who:  Congressman Tim Walz (MN-01)
  Noel Peterson, Former President and CEO, Olmsted Medical Center
  Rachelle Schultz, President and CEO, Winona Health
  Ed Sheehy, Director, UCare Minnesota
  Ghita Worcester, Sr. Vice President, UCare Minnesota
  Mark Schoenbaum, Director, Office of Rural Health and Primary Care (Mn Dept. of Health)

What: Discussion about the health care system and the government's role in seeking out solutions to the difficult problems the health care system presents.

When: Monday, April 28, 2008
9:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m.- Owatonna
2:00 p.m. -3:30 p.m. -Winona

Where: AmericInn
245 Florence Avenue
Owatonna, Minnesota

Riverport Inn and Suites
900 Bruski Drive
Winona, Minnesota

In a side note, congratulations to Joe and Liz Bodell, who are anticipating the birth of their first child, a son, at the end of August. May the child enjoy good health and long life.