There is a decent chance Senator Bayh will actually represent his state and fight the Obama Care nationalization of our health system that appears to be the next major attack on the system of free-enterprize we used to know in the United States. Senator Bayh surely recognizes the huge impact health care has on the once manufacturing dominant Indiana economy. In fact, life sciences and bio-tech are two industries that are developing jobs that fit the world of the 21st century...and are happening in areas of Indiana such as Indianapolis, Lafayette, and Bloomington.
In addition, Bayh has become known as a moderate Democrat and today it almost seems shocking to think Obama actually almost placed him on the ticket as VP. So, at a time when some reasonable opposition is needed within the majority party, a situation is percolating that could derail the voice of opposition to Obama Care. The position of Susan Bayh, the Senator's wife, an attorney, and a director of one of the nations largest commercial administrators of health plans-WellPoint based in Indianapolis, has potentially weakened the ability of the Senator to stand up to the Obama supporters and stand out as a voice of reason.
In an editorial in yesterday's Indianapolis Star, this "Unhealthy Association" is discussed. Two important take aways on this matter:
1. Nobody is inferring there has been any favors paid WellPoint due to Mrs. Bayh's directorship.
2. In the world today that seems to regard anybody earning more than $200,000 a year as part of the problem, needing heavy taxation and providing support for all of our other citizens, how will the fact Mrs. Bayh was paid $327,000 in compensation for her Director services last year going to play to the Obama Care crowd?
The only solution if Senator Bayh plans to represent his state and be ready to become a leading voice of reason in our federal government, is to eliminate this conflict before it grows and becomes a most likely distraction. Mrs. Bayh needs to immediately resign her position on this Board and allow her husband to do what might become the most important thing he has ever done in public life...fight for an industry incredibly important to the stabilization and growth of his state in the midst of a recession that will certainly forever change the employment mix in Indiana.
Otherwise, the obvious conflicts will overshadow his support of the private insurance networks that are a part of the health system in America that make us the envy of populations from Europe to Canada. Of course, any of us that are married to professional women know that you just don't go home and tell your wife she needs to give up her $327,000 job. Hopefully, the former Indiana First Lady will see that she needs to serve a higher purpose by getting out of the way before this matter becomes a distraction.
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