by Christi Parsons
Urging lawmakers to move quickly to enact health care reform, President Obama today criticized the "politics of the moment" in Washington and said that attempts to delay action on the plan are tantamount to attempts to kill it.
Some are trying to "delay action until special interests can kill" the reforms that congressional leaders are advancing, Obama said, speaking to reporters in the Rose Garden.
"We can choose to follow that playbook again, and then we'll never get over the goal line," the president said. "Or we can come together and insist that this time it will be different. We can choose action over inaction."
The remarks were part of a White House blitz to promote the president's health care plans this week, a strategy that also includes television interviews, a prime-time news conference Wednesday and, on Thursday, a town hall meeting in Cleveland.
The fight is on full-scale, as Republican critics and some skeptical Democrats question whether they should begin approving a reform plan before their August recess, as Obama wants.
Michael Steele, chairman of the Republican National Committee, immediately took aim at Obama's argument.
"Why this rush to get a health care bill signed or at least passed before the August recess?" Steele asked today. "The way the administration is going about it is not appropriate to me."
A new poll out today shows that Americans have some qualms about the health care proposals under consideration. By a margin of 50 percent to 44 percent, those surveyed disapprove of how Obama is handling health care policy, the new USA Today/ Gallup Poll shows.
But the White House still is selling the president's popularity on Capitol Hill, reassuring supporters that Obama will help those who support the reform effort.
In one positive sign of his influence with lawmakers, Obama recorded an important win in Congress earlier today when the Senate moved to strip funding for the F-22 fighter from the budget as the White House had requested.
Much more important to the president is healthcare reform, the signature issue of his presidential campaign and his top domestic priority.
During his brief appearance in the Rose Garden, Obama excoriated the "familiar Washington script" that he said favors inertia over action.
He outlined the common ground among several bills now making their way through Congress, arguing that lawmakers have agreed on a range of features from provision of a public health care option to guaranteed coverage for people with pre-existing conditions.
"Make no mistake," he said. "We are closer than ever before to the reform that the American people need...
"Time and again, we've heard excuses to delay and defeat reform," Obama said, maintaining that Americans have suffered because Washington played "politics of the moment,.''
"Americans don't care who is up or down in Washington politics,'' Obama said. ""The American people understand the status quo is unacceptable.''
Comments
Rush the bill along so no one can read it.
Including Obama himself, who admitted yesterday he wasn't sure about a key provision of the bill.
Pass bills no one has read--that's the status quo in Obamaland. And yes, that status quo must be changed.
Posted by: Change in 2012 | July 21, 2009 1:41 PM
Broad Public Support
Roughly three quarters of Americans support what they're hearing from Washington on health care, according to a June survey from the Employee Benefits Research Institute.
The ideas they favor include an option to purchase insurance from a government-run plan (a.k.a. "the public plan"); requiring insurers to cover all people regardless of their health problems; expanding Medicare and Medicaid; and mandating that everyone have insurance and that all employers pay toward coverage.
A new poll, meanwhile, showed that large numbers of people are worried about whether they will have future health coverage, with nearly one in four concerned that family medical bills will drive them into bankruptcy.
The survey of 508 people was conducted in June by the nonpartisan Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and had a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 4.4 percentage points.
And there have been many different polls that show the public is overwhelmingly in favor of Obama's version of reform, which includes a public option (for example, a CBS News/New York Times poll had 72% in favor and even a poll done by healthcare reform opponents showed 83% in favor of the public option).
Additionally, the post buries the news in the paragraph:
On health care, the poll, conducted by telephone Wednesday through Saturday, found that a majority of Americans (54 percent) approve of the outlines of the legislation now heading toward floor action. The measure would institute new individual and employer insurance mandates and create a government-run plan to compete with private insurers. Its costs would be paid in part through new taxes on high-income earners. There are sharp differences in support for this basic package based on income, as well as a deep divide along party lines. Three-quarters of Democrats back the plan, as do nearly six in 10 independents.
Thank You !
Posted by: hsr0601 | July 21, 2009 2:10 PM
AMERICA’S NATIONAL HEALTHCARE EMERGENCY!
It’s official. America and the World are now in a GLOBAL PANDEMIC. A World EPIDEMIC with potential catastrophic consequences for ALL of the American people. The first PANDEMIC in 41 years. And WE THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES will have to face this PANDEMIC with the 37th worst quality of healthcare in the developed World.
STAND READY AMERICA TO SEIZE CONTROL OF YOUR NATIONAL HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.
We spend over twice as much of our GDP on healthcare as any other country in the World. And Individual American spend about ten times as much out of pocket on healthcare as any other people in the World. All because of GREED! And the PRIVATE FOR PROFIT healthcare system in America.
And while all this is going on, some members of congress seem mostly concern about how to protect the corporate PROFITS! of our GREED DRIVEN, PRIVATE FOR PROFIT NATIONAL DISGRACE. A PRIVATE FOR PROFIT DISGRACE that is in fact, totally valueless to the public health. And a detriment to national security, public safety, and the public health.
Progressive democrats the Tri-Caucus and others should stand firm in their demand for a robust government-run public option for all Americans, with all of the minimum requirements progressive democrats demanded. If congress can not pass a robust public option with at least 51 votes and all robust minimum requirements, congress should immediately move to scrap healthcare reform and request that President Obama declare a state of NATIONAL HEALTHCARE EMERGENCY! Seizing and replacing all PRIVATE FOR PROFIT health insurance plans with the immediate implementation of National Healthcare for all Americans under the provisions of HR676 (A Single-payer National Healthcare Plan For All).
Coverage can begin immediately through our current medicare system. With immediate expansion through recruitment of displaced workers from the canceled private sector insurance industry. Funding can also begin immediately by substitution of payroll deductions for private insurance plans with payroll deductions for the national healthcare plan. This is what the vast majority of the American people want. And this is what all objective experts unanimously agree would be the best, and most cost effective for the American people and our economy.
In Mexico on average people who received medical care for A-H1N1 (Swine Flu) with in 3 days survived. People who did not receive medical care until 7 days or more died. This has been the same results in the US. But 50 million Americans don’t even have any healthcare coverage. And at least 200 million of you with insurance could not get in to see your private insurance plans doctors in 2 or 3 days, even if your life depended on it. WHICH IT DOES!
If President Obama has to declare a NATIONAL STATE OF EMERGENCY to rescue the American people from our healthcare crisis, he will need all the sustained support you can give him. STICK WITH HIM! He’s doing a brilliant job.
THIS IS THE BIG ONE!
THE BATTLE OF GOOD Vs EVIL!
Join the fight.
Contact congress and your representatives NOW! AND SPREAD THE WORD!
God Bless You
Jacksmith – WORKING CLASS
Posted by: jacksmith | July 21, 2009 2:20 PM
With the Republican smear-the-public-option campaign---designed by Wingnut mouth-breather Frank Luntz---in full swing, here's a handy, crystal-clear rebuttal you can print out and leave on windshields and utility poles (and even in emergency rooms!) across America:
5 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PRESIDENT OBAMA'S PUBLIC HEALTH INSURANCE OPTION
1. Choice, choice, choice. If the public health insurance option passes, Americans will be able to choose between their current insurance and a high-quality, government-run plan similar to Medicare. If you like your current care, you can keep it. If you don't—or don't have any—you can get the public insurance plan.
2. It will be high-quality coverage with a choice of doctors. Government-run plans have a track record of innovating to improve quality, because they're not just focused on short-term profits. And if you choose the public plan, you'll still get to choose your doctor and hospital.
3. We'll all save a bunch of money. The public health insurance option won't have to spend money on things like CEO bonuses, shareholder dividends, or excessive advertising, so it'll cost a lot less. Plus, the private plans will have to lower their rates and provide better value to compete, so people who keep their current insurance will save, too.
4. It will always be there for you and your family. A for-profit insurer can close, move out of the area, or just kick you off their insurance rolls. The public health insurance option will always be available to provide you with the health security you need.
5. And it's a key part of universal health care. No longer will sick people or folks in rural communities, or low-income Americans be forced to go without coverage. The public health insurance plan will be available and accessible to everyone. And for those struggling to make ends meet, the premiums will be subsidized by the government.
It might not hurt to give your senators a jingle and ask 'em which they embrace more: campaign contributions from the big insurance lobby and Frank Luntz's Republican propaganda, or historic legislation that will enhance their legacy and make them heroes among their constituents for improving the health and well-being of all Americans. Be patient---sadly, it could take some of 'em a while to decide.
Posted by: Drunk, Stupid and Republican is no way to go through life, son | July 21, 2009 2:47 PM
Wapost/ABC poll today:
54% of Americans support a government run option paid for by taxes on the rich (the very same rich people whom the BushCo Republicans gave tax cuts to the last eight years while everyone else was left to drown in debt).
.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/polls/postpoll_072009.html
That's a damning statistic and indictment against any claim that the Republican party is a national party. They only act in the narrow interests of their own small, local electorate, never what's in the best interests of the national party.
And the interests of the national party and the interests of those rigid, ideologue, conservative Republicans are opposed to each other.
The only Republicans left are extremists in extremely Republican states (excepting perhaps Maine) and their extremely Republican, conservative electorate doesn't line up with the American electorate.
Posted by: Devil's advocate | July 21, 2009 2:49 PM
> 44,230 more people are losing health coverage each week.
> 191,670 more people are losing health coverage each month.
> 2.3 million more people are losing health coverage each year
Republicans know that a successful health care reform that achieves universal coverage will bury them electorally for a generation. Health Insurers and their Lobbyists and Big Pharma know that a powerful public option and a Medicare bargaining for prices will kick them off the gravy train permanently. Republicans and Big Insurance Company propagandists know their scare tactics aren't nearly as scary as reality for the large majority of Americans.
Posted by: LoveBuzz | July 21, 2009 2:52 PM
Michael Steele, the RNC buffoon, is like a circus elephant paraded out on stage for all to see. There's a big difference though. Elephants are smart, intelligent, and resourceful animals. They are also not liars and hypocrites.
Posted by: Doug R. | July 21, 2009 3:00 PM
The Democrats have only been working on these problems, problems that were swept under the rug, for the last 8 years, for at least 20 years, in the case of Healthcare reform. I think by now, they know what is in a bill, especially since they wrote it !! Come on, you good old Republicans, get on board the Healthcare reform train and ride it into the history books, which could read: America does the right thing, by its citizens, all of its citizens !! She is showing the world that she appreciates all of her citizens, not just the wealthy or the powerful. She respects the bedrock citizens; the workers, the hourly workers, the temporary workers, single mothers, under-, and uninsured workers and offers them programs that will help them, instead of hurt them. Force some of those profiteering Corporation to come off of their ill-got profits, off of the deaths and illnesses of American citizens. It will make America, the great nation she once was !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, IL | July 21, 2009 3:00 PM
Looks as Obama doesn't seem to care to much what The working American and Taxpaying American thinks as long as he is the Messiah.
Posted by: Inky | July 21, 2009 3:01 PM
Rush the bill along so no one can read it.ncluding Obama himself, who admitted yesterday he wasn't sure about a key provision of the bill.Pass bills no one has read--that's the status quo in Obamaland. And yes, that status quo must be changed.
Posted by: Change in 2012 | July 21, 2009 1:41 PM
-------------------------------------
.
Slow the bill down so we Wingnut knuckle-draggers can stop it!
A Republican (Demint) just yesterday admitted that he has no interest in ever passing healthcare reform because he knows Republicans like him will be buried electorally for a generation when the Dems pass healthcare reform.
Republicans don't even bother to read bills when their in the minority, that's why they're called the "Party of No", that's the staus quo in todays Republicanland.
Posted by: Mullah Limbaugh - leader of the Greedy Oil Party | July 21, 2009 3:02 PM
Looks as Obama doesn't seem to care to much what The working American and Taxpaying American thinks as long as he is the Messiah.
Posted by: Inky | July 21, 2009 3:01 PM
*****************************
.
As usual, I have no idea what you're even talking about, but at least you spelled all of your words correctly this time.
Congrats InkyClown!
Posted by: B!!nky | July 21, 2009 3:07 PM
Obama again attacking his own strawman - that if you have questions about provisions in the latest hairbrained, budget busting plan in Congress, you are somehow against reform. Nonsense. Most Americans, including myself, think it's wrong to have so many uninsured in this country, and wrong to have people denied health care coverage for pre-existing conditions, either outright or de facto through ridiculous premiums. These dots connect to the need for regulation, as opposed to the Administration's bizarre allegiance to a "public" option, when there is no evidence it will decrease costs or improve care. What we can safely assume is that the federal government will turn any "public" option into another bloated, insolvent financial nightmare, as they have done with Medicare.
We have these arguments going on, and then we have the far left secretly hoping that this leads to a single payer government system. I don't know if that is on Obama's mind, but he is lying through his teeth right now if it is. Of course, he would never come out and say that was his goal. He is too shrewd for that. Instead, he would ram through a public option under the guise of competition, but in reality it is so heavily subsidized that no private company could possibly compete with it. Then at the same time, suggest a "penalty" for employers for not providing coverage, which is less than the average cost for insuring employees; thus, giving employers an incentive to drop their insurance, while at the same time creating a new source of revenue. Thus, take out the two pillars of the existing system, private insurance and employer provided benefits. Yeah, that's probably the way I would draw it up if my goal was a single payer system. America will reject a radical government takeover of health care, but if it's done incrementally in this fashion, most Americans can be snowed.
Posted by: Herbie H. | July 21, 2009 4:27 PM
Looks as Obama doesn't seem to care to much what The working American and Taxpaying American thinks as long as he is the Messiah.
Posted by: Inky | July 21, 2009 3:01 PM
*****************************
.
As usual, I have no idea what you're even talking about, but at least you spelled all of your words correctly this time.
Congrats InkyClown!
Posted by: B!!nky | July 21, 2009 3:07 PM
Thanks "Blinkey the Change"
Posted by: Inky | July 21, 2009 5:20 PM
Health Insurance Insiders Speak Out and Spill The Beans
Wendell Potter, a career insider in the health insurance industry for many years, has turned hero and speaks out about the secret, deceptive and corrupt practices of the health insurance industry. Wendell Potter says, "I'm the former insurance industry insider now speaking out about how big for-profit insurers have hijacked our health care system and turned it into a giant ATM for Wall Street investors, and how the industry is using its massive wealth and influence to determine what is (and is not) included in the health care reform legislation members of Congress are now writing."
"What I saw happening over the past few years was a steady movement away from the concept of insurance and toward "individual responsibility," a term used a lot by insurers and their ideological allies. This is playing out as a continuous shifting of the financial burden of health care costs away from insurers and employers and onto the backs of individuals. As a result, more and more sick people are not going to the doctor or picking up their prescriptions because of costs. If they are unfortunate enough to become seriously ill or injured, many people enrolled in these plans find themselves on the hook for such high medical bills that they are losing their homes to foreclosure or being forced into bankruptcy".
.
http://www.prwatch.org/node/8422
Posted by: Lithium | July 21, 2009 5:56 PM
We all remember the commercials that were made by Republicans and their pals at the Big Insurance Industry to trick Americans into thinking that health care reform would hurt average working families. We now see what has happened to the health-care system. CEOs rake in the big bucks from the huge profits they take in as health-insurance costs have skyrocketed.
FierceHealthcare reports the following top 10 CEO salaries for 2008:
------------------------------------------------------
* Ron Williams - Aetna - Total Compensation: $24,300,112.
* H. Edward Hanway - CIGNA - Total Compensation: $12,236,740.
* Angela Braly - WellPoint - Total Compensation: $9,844,212.
* Dale Wolf - Coventry Health Care - Total Compensation: $9,047,469.
* Michael Neidorff - Centene - Total Compensation: $8,774,483.
* James Carlson - AMERIGROUP - Total Compensation: $5,292,546.
* Michael McCallister - Humana - Total Compensation: $4,764,309.
* Jay Gellert - Health Net - Total Compensation: $4,425,355.
* Richard Barasch - Universal American - Total Compensation: $3,503,702.
* Stephen Hemsley - UnitedHealth Group - Total Compensation: $3,241,042.
My rates go up and coverage goes down every time I turn around. And then they just decide not to cover certain medications without an explanation. Even scumbag criminals are resurfacing like Rick Scott to try and con America for a second time -- and the corporate media does nothing about it.
.
http://crooksandliars.com/john-amato/dont-let-third-way-ben-nelsons-or-repub
Posted by: John A. | July 21, 2009 6:00 PM
"We have these arguments going on, and then we have the far left secretly hoping that this leads to a single payer government system"
It is equally valid to say that in fact we have people on the right secretly hoping that the current system is maintained so that even fewer americans have health insurance in the future. American will reject the goal of deprioving more and more americans access to basic healthcare to save the rich a few bucks.
Posted by: Hancock | July 21, 2009 6:32 PM
For all of you who think you will be able to keep your own employer provided health insurance - read this - your odds just drastically dropped.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203946904574298661486528186.html
Posted by: Terry | July 21, 2009 8:12 PM
Oh," wsj.com ", that purveyor of " troot " !! Get real !! You wingnuts sure know how to handle the manure. No wonder, you guys are running scared and running last !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, IL | July 21, 2009 8:29 PM
FITZ,
The Wall Street Journal is the country's best newspaper when it comes to all things economic.
I know you probably don't read it since there are two pages of cartoons and ten pages of items on movie stars. Stick with the RedEye.
Posted by: Terry | July 21, 2009 10:03 PM
"54% of Americans support a government run option paid for by taxes on the rich (the very same rich people whom the BushCo Republicans gave tax cuts to the last eight years while everyone else was left to drown in debt)."
You must be referring to the bad 'ol days of 4% unemployment. Don't worry, you are getting what you want. Obama is fixing the low unemployement of BushCo.
Posted by: rick g | July 22, 2009 7:09 AM
You must be referring to the bad 'ol days of 4% unemployment. Don't worry, you are getting what you want. Obama is fixing the low unemployement of BushCo.
Posted by: rick g | July 22, 2009 7:09 AM
Tell us more Rick! For example tell us how much lower unemployment was when Bush left office than when he took office. How much did he cut unemployment during his 8 years? 5%? 10%? 20%? more?
Posted by: Kevin | July 22, 2009 12:18 PM
Why is it ok to start a war and continue to fund it without money in the Treasury, but it is not ok to help our, the People get healthcare?
Posted by: runescape gold | July 22, 2009 10:01 PM
Fools gold,
One of the purposes of our gov't is to defend our country - provide for the common defense. I don't remember reading anything about providing health care in the constitution.
Posted by: Terry | July 22, 2009 10:27 PM
Fools gold,
One of the purposes of our gov't is to defend our country - provide for the common defense. I don't remember reading anything about providing health care in the constitution.
Posted by: Terry | July 22, 2009 10:28 PM