The song had it right; it really is a small world. I was just reading Matt Yglesias’ blog post about Liz Fowler, Senator Max Baucus’ chief health care counsel who likely played a major role in drafting the latest proposal to other members of the Senate Finance Committee. Politico named her as one of the five faces to watch in the health care debate. Liz is getting some flak on other liberal blogs because, before returning for a second stint as a Baucus staffer, she was a vice president for mega-insurer Wellpoint.
For what it’s worth, Liz and I were classmates in law school. We didn’t know each other well, but I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say that she was one of the smartest people in our class. I’m not surprised in the least that she’s become an influential voice at the national level. And while I can’t speak to Liz’s politics, it strikes me as unfair to criticize her for holding a previous job for an insurance company. Plenty of talented attorneys enter the private sector before returning to the public sector. We shouldn’t begrudge anyone for making a living or make baseless accusations of guilt by association.
Like a lot of progressives, I’m disappointed that Baucus’ proposal doesn’t include a public option. But let’s remember that the other House and Senate bills also provide substantial premium subsidies that would be paid to private insurers. What’s more, the President himself has negotiated with insurers to hold down costs. It’s perfectly legitimate to be wary of the insurers’ role in the process, but I don’t think Liz is whispering their bidding into her boss’s ear.
