Megan calls Harry Reid's provision for the Independent Medicare Advisory Board "an unprecedented and troubling power grab." She elaborates:
I do actually understand Reid's intent: they are trying to set up an institution that can make binding cuts to medical services, which is difficult to do if that institution is subject to political pressure. I quite agree that without such a provision, the institution is unlikely to work. But process matters. What if your select commission runs amok? Or what if 80-90% of Americans simply hate it and don't want it? It is neither practically nor ethically desirable to appoint a dictator. Nor is any man so wise that he should be able to enshrine his preference into unchangeable law for all time.
2006-2011 archives for The Daily Dish, featuring Andrew Sullivan