Now that even Steny Hoyer admits getting a bill done before the August recess ain’t gonna happen, cheerleaders like the New York Times are wondering whether there’s a better way.

David Leonhardt points out that people are asking, “What’s in it for me?”; don’t like what they’re hearing; and concludes that “maybe they have a point.” Leonhardt notes that although U.S. health care is mind-numbingly expensive ($15,000 per family this year), few of us experience the costs directly because our employers or the government already cover most of it. So, when the government threatens a very visible tax hike, it’s an easy target for our side to hit.

On the opinion page, centrist radio host Matt Miller zings those who advocate that all Americans have access to the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan (FEHBP), explaining that it’s too expensive because it covers routine expenses that Beltway politicos should be able to pay themselves. Miller proposes mandating Health Savings Accounts for Congressman and Senators. Amen to that!

Unfortunately, HR 3200 (America’s Affordable Health Choices Act) pretty much eradicates Health Savings Accounts, and further separates Americans from control of their health-care dollars.

Although we are winning the defensive battle this summer, we still have a problem: Too many opponents of the government take-over of health care are defending the status quo (like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which is readying an ad campaign to prop up employer-based health care), instead of advocating real health reform that gives control of health-care dollars to American families, instead of governments or managers in HR departments.

— John R. Graham is director of Health Care Studies at the Pacific Research Institute.