The healthcare issue is hitting fever pitch today, with President Obama addressing a joint session of Congress tonight in a ”Hail Mary” attempt to find some common ground. It seems the expectations are very high for Obama. Too high in my opinion.

Here we are in September and the new Democrat Congress and White House have shown that they are not exactly ready for prime time. On the other hand looking back, the Republican-controlled Congress and White House did not do much better, although they spent a lot less of our money.

Looking at this healthcare debate shows American people that the passing of legislation is much like sausage-making (it’s good to eat, but making it turns the stomach). Issues like this go on each day in Washington and most of the time us little guys don’t know about it.

I think one avenue the leaders of our country should examine is to tackle the healthcare issue piece by piece. This is too big to rush and nobody outside of Washington really cares if it defines the Obama Administration or changes the make-up of Congress from Democrat-controlled to Republican-controlled. We’ve seen both parties screw things up pretty well over the last 20-25 years.

I’m not all that excited about government-run healthcare. One needs only to look at the Veterans Administration (VA) or the Indian Health Service (IHS) to see that although the idea was good and just, funding (and bureaucracy) has kept these agencies from performing very well.

One thing that I would like to see is some preventative medicine covered for free or at very low-cost. I’d like to see some medical experts (not Congress) get together and decide what are the top 50 or so medical tests that people need to catch diseases and ailments early to keep them healthy – and “promote the general welfare” of our citizens…

Of course, I think any type of healthcare overhaul must address tort reform, which I think could help reduce cost. I doubt that can happen under the present makeup of Congress.

But just maybe the answer to our healthcare woes is the Wal-Mart method! Wal-Mart is one of those places where some folks will not admit they shop, but the parking lot is always full. Wal-Mart (apologies to my union friends) is a success because they provide goods and services at a cheaper price than most others – the free market method. Wal-Mart has already stepped into the healthcare arena by providing low-cost prescriptions.

Heck, we might even see Wal-Mart hire a few doctors and provide medical care at low cost. I can hear it now, “Attention Wal-Mart shoppers, Mr. Bill Jones, your blood test results are available for pick-up at the healthcare window. Maintenance, we have a spill on aisle three. Jane Smith, your car is ready at the auto service department. Thank you for shopping at your local Wal-Mart!”

That may not be too far-fetched.