Both of the Senators from Colorado are calling for more transparency in the way congressional leaders are working to hash out a health care reform plan that combines the versions passed last year by the House and Senate. Senators Udall and Bennet, both Democrats, are unimpressed with their own party’s actions in keeping the final negotiations secret.
I understand the concern that if conservatives are involved, they might start up with the death panels and unsubstantiated scare tactics that were used last summer, and could just delay the reform process. But even if the final revisions are left solely to the Democrats, why not open up the negotiations for public viewing? Why not have C-Span cameras in the room? Why not let the American people see what it going on? By closing the doors and removing all pretenses of transparency, the process becomes fodder for speculation and conjecture, and automatically raises doubts. People will start to wonder if back door deals are being made, or if special interests will trump the interests of the American people.
It remains to be seen what will come out of the negotiations that are underway, but I agree with Senators Udall and Bennet that we need more transparency in this final stretch.