We are in the midst of a remarkable time in the United States and the world.  After the historic election of Barack Obama and the overwhelming victory by Democrats in congress, the policies of past eight years are being challenged.

It is a time when everything is being considered in a different way.  How will we deal with the Middle East?  Will we talk to Iran?  Will we ever leave Afghanistan and Iraq?  Will banks be helped by bailouts?  Will cash-for-clunkers help the automotive industry?  Will we be successful in increasing our use of renewable energy and decrease dependence on foreign oil?  Will Jennifer Aniston ever find love?

Nothing is more compelling of a process right now than the health care reform debate.  The issues surrounding the debate seem dizzying.  How can one follow the lingo of the issues as well as all the players?

Not to worry – The Beat Goes On can help.  With Todd as a practicing cardiologist and Jeff as a clinical researcher at a biotech company with an eye to come back into practice, this national dialogue has been a fascinating process.  More than anything, it has been a great example of massive bloviating from all sides (according to Dictionary.com: bloviate = to speak pompously.  Origin – alteration of “blow” or boast; popularized by Warren G. Harding). 

The issues are actually simple: access, cost and quality. 

The access issue is about the uninsured and underinsured.  That number has been bantered about as ~45 million.  However, that number includes illegal aliens, people who do not take advantage of their eligibility to get into Medicaid and people who just choose not to carry health insurance.  We will be discussing this in coming shows.

And remember, listen the The Beat Goes On: Saturday mornings at 8 am on WNPV 1440 AM.