The World of Ways and Means: A Conversation with Dan Rostenkowski

Abstract

Prologue: For almost a decade now, Rep. Dan Rostenkowski (D-IL) has chaired the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. During his stewardship, the committee has fashioned laws that address some of the most controversial and critical issues facing American society, including reform measures dealing with taxes, trade, welfare, and Medicare. These struggles have made Rostenkowski's name a household word in America. But political life has not been an easy road for him. A recent profile by The New York Times recounted his difficulties under a headline that read, “Tax Mutiny, Angry Voters and Less Indignities: Suddenly, a Powerful Congressman Is Stumbling.” But Rostenkowski seems to take these incidents largely in stride. In this interview, Rostenkowski makes clear that addressing health policy issues that vex the nation is definitely on his agenda. When asked this question specifically, he responded: “The health system has some very serious problems that we will ultimately have to address. At some point, and I hope it's soon, we will take the necessary steps to ensure everyone has access to basic health care. The challenge is figuring out how to do this and pay for it—and, at the same time, get some control over escalating costs while preserving incentives for medical innovation and continued improvement in the quality of care. At the moment, unfortunately, political and economic barriers to reform seem quite insurmountable. But, pressure is mounting, and changes will come. I don't know exactly when, or in what direction, but I will welcome and support reform. Until then, my primary responsibility is to make sure that health services are available to the urban poor.” Above all, Rostenkowski is human. He has an abiding interest in his Polish-American heritage and has long been a strong supporter of Poland. Rostenkowski reflected his attachment to Poland last November at a House dinner honoring Solidarity leader Lech Walesa, when he wept with genuine regret as he spoke of the years spent trying to play down his Polishness and to “Anglo-Saxonize” himself.