Efforts like this to hold Democrats accountable for the support they received from progressives in 2008 are good. But they're reactive. So is threatening primary challenges for Democrats who won't support a robust public option.
Imagine what the effect might be on all those elected Democrats who are wishy-washy or even hostile to real health care reform if the Democratic base (the people who donate, volunteer their time, and turn out to vote in midterms), decided to take a stand like the one the Sheet Metal Workers International Association are taking:
Recently, Trumka delivered another union hall stem-winder, this time against the moderate and conservative Democrats who have been the chief opponents of the White House's progressive agenda:
"We need to send them a special message: It's that you may have forgotten what the labor movement did to get you elected, but, by God, we never will! And if you stab us in the back on health care this year, don't you dare ask us for our support next year!" (Labor unions have been the largest contributors to conservative House Democrats this year.)
The speech, delivered to the Sheet Metal Workers International Association, wasn't made carelessly: The SMWIA is the only labor union to suspend all donations to Democrats until, you guessed it, EFCA and health-care reform are passed. Asked if the entire AFL-CIO might follow suit, Sweeney would only say that the decision is "something that will have to be considered" at the convention.
In short, no further support (donations and time) until they pass the health care reform they promised.
In case you've forgotten, here's the health care reform plan Obama promised to stand behind (PDF):
BARACK OBAMA’S PLAN FOR A HEALTHY AMERICA:
Lowering health care costs and ensuring affordable, high-quality health
care for all
The Obama plan will: (1) establish a new public
insurance program, available to Americans who neither qualify for Medicaid or SCHIP nor have access to insurance through their employers, as well as to small businesses that want to offer insurance to their employees...
OBAMA’S PLAN TO COVER THE UNINSURED. Obama will make available a new national health plan which will give individuals the choice to buy affordable health coverage that is similar to the plan available to federal employees. The new public plan will be open to individuals without access to group coverage through their workplace or current public programs. It will also be available to people who are self-employed and small businesses that want to offer insurance to their employees.
The plan will have the following features:
Guaranteed eligibility. No American will be turned away FROM ANY
INSURANCE PLAN because of illness or pre-existing conditions.
Comprehensive benefits. The benefit package will be similar to that offered through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP), the program through which Members of Congress get their own health care. The new public plan will include coverage of all essential medical services, including preventive, maternity and mental health care. Coverage will include disease management programs, self management training and care coordination for appropriate individuals.
Affordable premiums, co-pays and deductibles. Participants will be charged fair premiums and minimal co-pays for deductibles for preventive services.
Subsidies. Individuals and families who do not qualify for Medicaid or SCHIP but still need assistance will receive income-related federal subsidies to keep health insurance premiums affordable. They can use the subsidy to buy into the new public plan or purchase a private health care plan.
Simplifying paperwork and reining in health costs. The plan will simplify paperwork for providers and will increase savings to the system overall.
Easy enrollment. The new public plan will be simple to enroll in and provide ready access to coverage.
Portability and choice. Participants in the new public plan and the National Health Insurance Exchange (see below) will be able to move from job to job without changing or jeopardizing their health care coverage.
Quality and efficiency. Participating hospitals and providers that participate in the new public plan will be required to collect and report data to ensure that standards for health care quality, health information technology and administration are being met.
There aren't any "triggers" there. No co-ops. No punishing opt-out fees. No confusion over what's needed to fix the problems with American health care. Just a national public plan open to all who need it.
Once upon a time not so long ago, Obama and the Democrats knew exactly what kind of health care reform the American people needed and wanted. They knew what to promise when they needed something from us.