Its Radical Universal Health Care vs. Less Radical Universal Health Care at Pomona next week. David Beier, VP Global Government and Corporate Affairs, Amgen and former Domestic adviser to Al Gore, will 'debate' E. Richard Brown, Director, UCLA Center For Health Policy Research and Current Health Care adviser to Barack Obama. Both speakers are guests of the Pomona Student Union.
"What kinds of policies are candidates proposing to reform the health care system? How will these proposals impact our generation? Come join us on Monday, April 28 at 7pm in Edmunds Ballroom as we examine the difficult questions shaping the national health care discussion with David Beier and Richard Brown."
As head lobbyist at Amgen, Beier spent $16.3 million lobbying last year, a 58% increase since 2006. He defended the sharp increase by stating,
"Amgen is a leading biotechnology firm and is highly regulated; we face a lot of legislative and regulatory issues," Beier said. "We resourced our advocacy to match our challenges."Highly regulated, you say? Beier, of course, forgot to mention that as chief lobbyist with Amgen, and previously with Genentech, he made the case for stricter intellectual property rights regulation, licenses and larger tax credits.
So whose on the 'other side'?
Dr. E Richard Brown, Professor UCLA School of Public Health, is the author of Rockefeller Medicine Men: Medicine and Capitalism in America. He is a strong advocate for universal coverage and finds socialized medicine to be cheaper and better than market driven models. What a right wing nut!
So there's your debate: Universal Health Care v Universal Health Care. As Kissinger would say, 'too bad they can't both lose.'!
For those interested in a real debate on health care, I would recommend Professor Frederick Lynch's lecture series: Markets, Mandates, or 'Medicare for All'?
The first lecture in this four part series featured Peter Harbage, Senior Program Associate in the Health Policy Program, New America Foundation. Harbage provided an excellent background into the current structure of the US Health industry, and the plausibility of universal coverage. Harbage worked as Health Care adviser to Presidential Candidate John Edwards.
The second and final speaker for this semester will be Sally Pipes, CEO Pacific Research Institute. CJ's preview.
Now there's a real debate with real ideological diversity and quality speakers.
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8 comments:
CMC > pomona once again. while too many speakers often do ruin debates, two that agree with each other is just silly. CMC has done intelligent design series at the Ath (2 pro, at least 1 against), and other series like the Lynch healthcare one you mentioned. at least CMC is very good about most always presenting both sides.
<33 pomona bashing!!! get a life
Charles-
The two speakers are friends, and while both agree on many issues, they will not be agreeing tonight. Mr. Beier is presenting the views of the McCain campaign and arguing for his healthcare plan, while Mr. Brown will be arguing for the two Democratic plans. I understand that it was hard to read the entire description, but please understand that debate doesn't have to mean that two people vehemently disagree--as any high school debater knows, understanding one's own position generally requires an in-depth knowledge of one's opponent. You should come to the debate and see for yourself rather than taking potshots at an event that hasn't happened yet on your blog.
Mr. Beier will be arguing on behalf of McCain's health care policy while Professor Brown will be presenting the policies of the democratic candidates. Both speakers are interested in exploring the depth of all three health care plans, and we have crafted a question specifically addressing the benefits tax incentives and free market mechanisms in health care policy. I hope anyone interested in health care policy from any perspective will attend tonight and challenge the speakers and themselves to think critically about this important issue.
As the Vice President of the Pomona Student Union, I would be more than happy to answer any further questions about tonight's event or the PSU's mission at presenting important issues from a multiplicity of perspectives. I can be reached at [email protected]
Jenn,
You don't think it's problematic for someone who has spent a large part of his career arguing against McCain's would be proposals to be arguing for them?
I believe in Mr. Beier's professionalism and ability to think critically about the merit of arguments he disagrees with on a personal level. Within every governmental office, the brightest political minds are asked to write position papers representing "the other side."
Additionally, we tried to find a representative from the McCain organization, but were unable to find anyone who had the time to come speak. I hope that before you jump to conclusions about what Mr. Beier will or will not represent, you will take the time to listen to what he has to say.
Jenn's second post,
I have no such confidence. When someone's entire career is based upon working against those very reforms, they just might have an incentive to downplay evidence that would prejudicial to their cause. It's not their fault, necessarily.
As for judging his performance based upon one speech, I think it's unfair to hold someone's entire career in estimation based upon just one speech. After all, he's had an entire career lobbying for the other side.
Think about a student watching the debate. Afterwards, he'll look up Mr. Beier's position, only to discover that he actually advocates the opposite of what he was just telling everyone.
You had the opportunity to bring Sally Pipes or anyone from the Cato institute, but something tells me you didn't go after them at all.
I find that quite irresponsible and I'll be going to the debate tonight to tell you just that.
Be well,
Jennifer,
Thank you for response. There was no mention of McCain on the flier I saw, or on the PSU website. I am glad the PSU values real ideological diversity.
McCain has not pioneered any unique health care plan and neither have Clinton or Obama. They are coutnlessthink tanks, universities and private institutions that specialized in Free Market Health Care, Single-Payer Mandates and Universal Coverage.
I criticized Beier for his double standard on regulation and lobbying. He has been criticized for having record high lobbying bills. I see no merit in Beier presenting a free market argument. There is no official record of his expertise in the field. Sure, you can write a paper for the 'other side'. After all, he's a lobbyist. But does that make you an expert on the subject?
I look forward to the PSU Debate tonight and encourage our readers to do the same. I would also encourage you to hear Sally Pipes, CEO, Pacific Research Institute (Has nothing to do with McCain) on free market health care. Last week we had the health care adviser to John Edwards and next semester we will have a representative (Robert R.) for universal coverage.
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