UNC-TV hosted a forum on health care policy last night. It will eventually be online here.

  • Bev Perdue followed through on her promise to repeat herself about the need to get kids covered by the government. I’m not sure if that makes her consistent or if it just means she hasn’t thought much beyond the idea of “universal coverage.” She also indicated a contempt for the ability of people to think for themselves when she spoke of “an African American man” in Robeson County who now understands the importance of using insulin “because Dr. Pease told him it was important.” Not that she explained why it was important, just that she told him it was important.
  • Richard Moore emphasized the need for a healthier population, spoke nostalgically about the old mental health system, criticized some specifics of Perdue’s statements, but generally agreed with her.

The Republicans, even when talking about expanding government programs and taking the Democratic line that the uninsured are the biggest issue in the state, used consumer-focused language. For the most part, they focused on cost and access to care.

  • Fred Smith called for public-private cooperation to get universal health insurance.
  • Bill Graham promoted a “community rated” connector like Massachusetts has unsuccessfully adopted.
  • Bob Orr emphasized the need for competition and more med schools.
  • Pat McCrory overplayed the impact of illegal immigration on health costs, but did make some good points on making mental health decisions as close to the patient as possible.

Jeff Taylor provided his take on the Meck Deck.