President Barack Obama delivering his speech on healthcare to a joint session of Congress tonight. (Photo by Pablo Martinez Monsivais / AP)
by Mark Silva and updated at 9:20 pm
President Barack Obama, offering some concessions to Republicans and yielding some of his own ground on health care, maintained tonight that a "public option'' of government-run insurance is only one option open to debate in the weeks ahead.
Insisting that lawmakers approve an overhaul of health care debated for decades by the end of this year, the president told a joint session of Congress in a nationally televised address that "the time for games has passed... Now is the season for action.
"I am not the first president to take up this cause,'' Obama told the Congress and a viewing public, "but I am determined to be the last.''
The president, while maintaining that some elements of his proposal are essential, made a pitch for his ''public option'' offering government-run health care for those who cannot find private coverage, but stopped short of demanding a plan imperiled in the Senate.
The Senate's Democratic finance chairman, Sen. Max Baucus of Montana, maintained today that the Senate "cannot'' pass a public option - while House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California insists that it is essential to the passage of any health-care plan in the House.
"Let me be clear - it would only be an option for those who don't have insurance,'' Obama said. "We should remain open to other ideas that accomplish our ultimate goal.''
"The president had a chance tonight to take the public option off the table,'' said Rep. Charles Boustany (R-La.), delivering the GOP's televised response. "Unfortunately, he didn't do it.''
Obama reiterated three long-stated requirements: Improving health insurance for those who have it, offering coverage to those who lack it and paying for it all without worsening the federal budget deficit. He said it will cost $900 billion over 10 years, "less than we have spent on the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.''
The Democrat also reached out to Republicans in this address by embracing some GOP-inspired ideas for a health-care overhaul.
(Photo of President Barack Obama, above, before a joint session of Congress with Vice President Joe Biden and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi seated behind him, by Alex Wong / Getty Images)
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
The president announced a new initiative to contain the costs of medical malpractice lawsuits, for instance -- not "a silver bullet,'' but endorsing and putting into place a Bush administration-inspired demonstration pilot project of alternatives to lawsuits.
And he credited his own opponent in the 2008 presidential election, Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona, in endorsing his rival's campaign proposal to insure people against catastrophic illnesses.
Obama brought tears to some eyes in the hall in citing a personal letter from the late Sen. Edward Kennedy asking for action on health care. "That large-heartedness... is not a partisan feeling,'' Obama said. "It, too, is part of the American character.''
But Obama was jeered by one congressman who called out, "You lie,'' when the president maintained that illegal immigrants will not find coverage under his plans.
In months of contentious debate over health care, the president said, "we have seen Washington at its best and its worst...
"But what we have also seen in these last months is the same partisan spectacle that only hardens the disdain many Americans have toward their own government. Instead of honest debate, we have seen scare tactics,'' he said. "Some have dug into unyielding ideological camps that offer no hope of compromise....
"Well the time for bickering is over. The time for games has passed,'' Obama said. "Now is the season for action.''
For the president, the challenge ahead remains in coalescing a divided Congress and a doubtful American public to approve what he expects to accomplish in health care by the end of the year. Obama plans a public rally for his plans in Minneapolis on Saturday.
"The problem isn't the sales pitch, it's the product,'' said Rep. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) "President Obama can give speech after speech, but until this legislation is fundamentally altered, Americans will remain skeptical of it."
Here, from the White House, are excerpts of the prepared remarks:
"I am not the first president to take up this cause, but I am determined to be the last. It has now been nearly a century since Theodore Roosevelt first called for health care reform. And ever since, nearly every president and Congress, whether Democrat or Republican, has attempted to meet this challenge in some way. A bill for comprehensive health reform was first introduced by John Dingell Sr. in 1943. Sixty-five years later, his son continues to introduce that same bill at the beginning of each session.
Our collective failure to meet this challenge - year after year, decade after decade - has led us to a breaking point. Everyone understands the extraordinary hardships that are placed on the uninsured, who live every day just one accident or illness away from bankruptcy. These are not primarily people on welfare. These are middle-class Americans. Some can't get insurance on the job. Others are self-employed, and can't afford it, since buying insurance on your own costs you three times as much as the coverage you get from your employer. Many other Americans who are willing and able to pay are still denied insurance due to previous illnesses or conditions that insurance companies decide are too risky or expensive to cover.
***
During that time, we have seen Washington at its best and its worst.
We have seen many in this chamber work tirelessly for the better part of this year to offer thoughtful ideas about how to achieve reform. Of the five committees asked to develop bills, four have completed their work, and the Senate Finance Committee announced today that it will move forward next week. That has never happened before. Our overall efforts have been supported by an unprecedented coalition of doctors and nurses; hospitals, seniors' groups and even drug companies - many of whom opposed reform in the past. And there is agreement in this chamber on about eighty percent of what needs to be done, putting us closer to the goal of reform than we have ever been.
But what we have also seen in these last months is the same partisan spectacle that only hardens the disdain many Americans have toward their own government. Instead of honest debate, we have seen scare tactics. Some have dug into unyielding ideological camps that offer no hope of compromise. Too many have used this as an opportunity to score short-term political points, even if it robs the country of our opportunity to solve a long-term challenge. And out of this blizzard of charges and counter-charges, confusion has reigned.
Well the time for bickering is over. The time for games has passed. Now is the season for action. Now is when we must bring the best ideas of both parties together, and show the American people that we can still do what we were sent here to do. Now is the time to deliver on health care.
The plan I'm announcing tonight would meet three basic goals:
It will provide more security and stability to those who have health insurance. It will provide insurance to those who don't. And it will slow the growth of health care costs for our families, our businesses, and our government. It's a plan that asks everyone to take responsibility for meeting this challenge - not just government and insurance companies, but employers and individuals. And it's a plan that incorporates ideas from Senators and Congressmen; from Democrats and Republicans - and yes, from some of my opponents in both the primary and general election.
***
Here are the details that every American needs to know about this plan:
First, if you are among the hundreds of millions of Americans who already have health insurance through your job, Medicare, Medicaid, or the VA, nothing in this plan will require you or your employer to change the coverage or the doctor you have. Let me repeat this: nothing in our plan requires you to change what you have.
What this plan will do is to make the insurance you have work better for you. Under this plan, it will be against the law for insurance companies to deny you coverage because of a pre-existing condition. As soon as I sign this bill, it will be against the law for insurance companies to drop your coverage when you get sick or water it down when you need it most. They will no longer be able to place some arbitrary cap on the amount of coverage you can receive in a given year or a lifetime. We will place a limit on how much you can be charged for out-of-pocket expenses, because in the United States of America, no one should go broke because they get sick. And insurance companies will be required to cover, with no extra charge, routine checkups and preventive care, like mammograms and colonoscopies - because there's no reason we shouldn't be catching diseases like breast cancer and colon cancer before they get worse. That makes sense, it saves money, and it saves lives.
That's what Americans who have health insurance can expect from this plan - more security and stability.
Now, if you're one of the tens of millions of Americans who don't currently have health insurance, the second part of this plan will finally offer you quality, affordable choices. If you lose your job or change your job, you will be able to get coverage. If you strike out on your own and start a small business, you will be able to get coverage. We will do this by creating a new insurance exchange - a marketplace where individuals and small businesses will be able to shop for health insurance at competitive prices. Insurance companies will have an incentive to participate in this exchange because it lets them compete for millions of new customers. As one big group, these customers will have greater leverage to bargain with the insurance companies for better prices and quality coverage. This is how large companies and government employees get affordable insurance. It's how everyone in this Congress gets affordable insurance. And it's time to give every American the same opportunity that we've given ourselves.
***
This is the plan I'm proposing. It's a plan that incorporates ideas from many of the people in this room tonight - Democrats and Republicans. And I will continue to seek common ground in the weeks ahead. If you come to me with a serious set of proposals, I will be there to listen. My door is always open.
But know this: I will not waste time with those who have made the calculation that it's better politics to kill this plan than improve it. I will not stand by while the special interests use the same old tactics to keep things exactly the way they are. If you misrepresent what's in the plan, we will call you out. And I will not accept the status quo as a solution. Not this time. Not now.
Everyone in this room knows what will happen if we do nothing. Our deficit will grow. More families will go bankrupt. More businesses will close. More Americans will lose their coverage when they are sick and need it most. And more will die as a result. We know these things to be true.
That is why we cannot fail. Because there are too many Americans counting on us to succeed - the ones who suffer silently, and the ones who shared their stories with us at town hall meetings, in emails, and in letters.''
Comments
Time to add to that $9,000,000,000,000 deficit.
Posted by: Terry | September 9, 2009 8:52 PM
Terry ...thank you for your ideas. Van Jones couldn't have said it any better.
Posted by: bill r. | September 9, 2009 9:09 PM
Who did the talking Obama or the TelePrompTer?
Posted by: Inky | September 9, 2009 9:14 PM
Have they paid for cash for clunkers yet? No... Oh yeah. When you need a brain operation, they are really gonna love not getting paid by a govt that cant pay for a simple cash for clunkers program. No to public option. No to this mess.
Posted by: city guy | September 9, 2009 9:25 PM
Heh Heh, Boner and McConnell really looked like somebody farted when BHO called out the right wing nut cases on talk radio for lying about the so called 'death panels'.
Good speech. Should help a little. Wish he had made it in June.
Posted by: C.Morris✧ | September 9, 2009 9:27 PM
Thank you President Obama for your hard work in advancing the quality of life for all Americans, and along with it, the dignity of America herself.
Posted by: Ed McGuinness | September 9, 2009 9:32 PM
Who did the talking Obama or the TelePrompTer?
Posted by: Inky | September 9, 2009 9:14 PM
Doy doy doy...who's lips were moving? Wow...where do you come up with this material? You should be a writer for a comedy show. Your a legend in your own mind.
Posted by: bill r. | September 9, 2009 9:32 PM
Inky:
I want YOU to make a 45 minute speech in front of cameras and a large audience without a teleprompter. How many recent presidents have NEVER used one? I bet you can count them on no hands.
Posted by: lochnessmonster | September 9, 2009 9:36 PM
Just don't force the public option on me.
Posted by: no name | September 9, 2009 9:39 PM
Inky,
He seemed to use notes, not a teleprompter.
BTW, here's a real teleprompter genius.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tJjNVVwRCY
Posted by: C.Morris✧ | September 9, 2009 9:42 PM
All three of you are valuable assets. Please express your opinion loudly so we can all tell you're a bunch of morons, and this goes to everyone here who believes Obama's healthcare reform is bad. If you're so afraid of communism don't buy milk, gas, corn, it's subsidized by the government. Sorry, big word. Conservatives only know three words: Blood for oil.
Posted by: oh please | September 9, 2009 9:44 PM
What happened to "We" the Government everything coming out of Obama's mouth was "I". It used to be "Government of the People, By the People, For the People". Something got lost.
Posted by: annjilly | September 9, 2009 9:45 PM
Brilliant speech except the ignorant Republican who yelled "lie" or "liar" while Obama was speaking. The Republican loonies who have been bringing their guns, lies, distortions and insults to the health care town hall meeting have been taught bad behavior by the best in the Republican party. This country is pathetic.
Posted by: Jeff | September 9, 2009 9:46 PM
Why didn't someone kick out that idiot Republican goober congressman from South Carolina who was yelling during Pres Obama's speech?
.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/9/9/779496/-Pathetic-Republican-antics
...and Republicans wonder why they can't win elections anymore? Geeeze!
Posted by: former Republican | September 9, 2009 9:52 PM
whoever yelled "lie" should get a medal.
Posted by: Richard Brueck | September 9, 2009 9:52 PM
whoever yelled "lie" should get a medal.
Posted by: Richard Brueck | September 9, 2009 9:52 PM
-----------------------------------------------------
.
The Republican knuckledragger who yelled shoud have been pulled off the floor and beaten with a stupid stick on national tv.
Posted by: Teresa Kathy K | September 9, 2009 9:56 PM
It sounded like all the proposals in Boustany's Repub. response are included in the Dem. plan.
Posted by: C.Morris✧ | September 9, 2009 9:56 PM
What the Hey! Sure didn't take long for the right wing nuts to post! Get er done!! With or without the right wing nuts!! The lie and scare tactics are getting old!! Remember the Republicans never do anything for this country, they only do things to this country! whiteagle38
Posted by: Raymond L. Juneau | September 9, 2009 9:57 PM
Inky - Obama is an intelligent well-spoken man. I'm not certain some of our fellow citizens are comfortable with having an intelligent president. Why all the references to him using a teleprompter? Most speakers use notes or a teleprompter to stay on focus. It's not a weakness. If you actually watched, you would see how he is looking around the room with limited opportunity to use a teleprompter. I have to assume you are just attempting to insult. Aren't you tired of all the anger and hatred?
Posted by: Kathleen | September 9, 2009 9:59 PM
Inky - Obama is an intelligent well-spoken man. I'm not certain some of our fellow citizens are comfortable with having an intelligent president. Why all the references to him using a teleprompter? Most speakers use notes or a teleprompter to stay on focus. It's not a weakness. If you actually watched, you would see how he is looking around the room with limited opportunity to use a teleprompter. I have to assume you are just attempting to insult. Aren't you tired of all the anger and hatred?
Posted by: Kathleen | September 9, 2009 10:00 PM
This is healthcare when you take away $400 billion from Medicare? You don't have to touch Medicare just don't fund it. Slimy spinartist.
Posted by: Proud to be middle American | September 9, 2009 10:00 PM
It is amazing that people have such a blatant disrespect for the office of the President of the United States. That is unpatriotic. That is un-American. That should not be tolerated regardless of how you feel about a particular President's policies.
Posted by: Matt | September 9, 2009 10:01 PM
Just don't force the public option on me.
Posted by: no name | September 9, 2009 9:39 PM
--------------------------------------------------------
.
Hey JimBob Wingnut drooler,
It's called public OPTION because it's just that, an OPTION!
Posted by: community organizer | September 9, 2009 10:01 PM
You don't have to touch Medicare, just don't fund it. That way you can take the $400 billion from Medicare and still protest that you did not do anything against seniors. It was those mean bureacrats' implementation of what you wanted. What a spinartist.
Posted by: Proud middle American | September 9, 2009 10:04 PM
Inky - What's up with the comment regarding the use of a teleprompter? I gather it's an attempt at an insult. Not a very smart attempt, mind you. Obama is a very intelligent well-spoken man. Most speakers use notes or teleprompters to keep them on track so the use of one is not a weakness. If you actually watched the speech you would have noted that he was frequenty looking at individuals in the room. Not much opportunity to use his teleprompter. Aren't you tired of all the insults, anger, and ignorance that is being spewed by the far-right?
Posted by: Kathleen | September 9, 2009 10:04 PM
Based on their red-faced scowls, it was hard to tell whether the crazed GOP members were constipated or merely sick of being seen as Court Jesters by the rest of the world.
Posted by: Diane | September 9, 2009 10:05 PM
Good one Terry, now maybe you can add all those 'Deer in headlights. looks on the faces of your minority party too after being called out by Obama on their lies and distortions. You didnt complain about Bush's deficit - which by the way - was the highest in history prior to Obamas administration. But that was ok right? Afterall most of Bush's deficit was based on lies to invade a soverign country and the cause fo millions of deaths. Im so glad youprefer your deficit to death and destruction rather than saving peoples lives and the economy in the long run.
Posted by: Scot S. Blakeley | September 9, 2009 10:07 PM
I do not agree with the fee.
Posted by: Lisa | September 9, 2009 10:09 PM
Who did the talking Obama or the TelePrompTer?
Posted by: Inky | September 9, 2009 9:14 PM
A man of few words.....and less thoughts!
Posted by: bill r. | September 9, 2009 10:26 PM
All three of you are valuable assets. Please express your opinion loudly so we can all tell you're a bunch of morons, and this goes to everyone here who believes Obama's healthcare reform is bad. If you're so afraid of communism don't buy milk, gas, corn, it's subsidized by the government. Sorry, big word. Conservatives only know three words: Blood for oil.
Posted by: oh please | September 9, 2009 10:27 PM
To Teresa K in response to "The Republican knuckledragger who yelled shoud have been pulled off the floor and beaten with a stupid stick on national tv." I guess freedom of speech only means letting people you agree with talk? When Obama uses fear tactics "pass this stimulus or the unemployment rate will hit 8%" (btw even with the stimulus it is well over 9%, so much for the job creation) it is ok?
Posted by: Wayne | September 9, 2009 10:28 PM
Come on- nothing new. Look at the failures of this administration- The "Stimulus", talks with Iran to stop their Bomb, Cash for Clunkers, the Deficit explosion. It keeps getting worse. Obama will be a 1-term president, another Jimmy Carter. Problem is, who's next?
Posted by: Taxpayer | September 9, 2009 10:32 PM
You don't have to touch Medicare, just don't fund it. That way you can take the $400 billion from Medicare and still protest that you did not do anything against seniors.
Posted by: Proud middle American | September 9, 2009 10:04 PM
Yea...keep your government hands off my medicare.
Posted by: bill r. | September 9, 2009 10:38 PM
The guy who yelled "you lie" was right. First, the House bill does not limit illegals.
Second, the 47 million uninsured number that every Democrat and Obama have used for many, many months now DOES include illegals.
So which is it: did Obama like about the 47 million or did he lie tonight? Or both?
Posted by: Alz | September 9, 2009 10:41 PM
Here are a couple of numbers for ya Terry.......4255 Troops killed in Iraq 30182 Injured in Iraq.....1 trillion and counting Cost of Iraq so far. There is a death panel alright...but it is out of office now.
Posted by: bill r. | September 9, 2009 10:43 PM
And the Republican response wasonce again misleading and wrong.
Posted by: Paul | September 9, 2009 10:46 PM
I grow tired of his daily speeches.
Posted by: Chief49 | September 9, 2009 10:52 PM
Great job Terry, you liberal nutbag. I feel so much better since Opie pulled us back from the brink. You ass.
Posted by: morton mike | September 9, 2009 10:54 PM
"Let me be clear - it would only be an option for those who don't have insurance,''.
Right, and paid for by those who do, along with their own. A large step in fulfilling Obama's promise to redistribute wealth. Being a middle class working stiff and a regular Army Viet Nam veteran I haven't gotten squat from the government; just given and given and given. Well, Mr President, I'm tired of giving, especially when so much of what I give is misused, squandered, and outright stolen. I gave up three years of my life to the fight against communism, and I'm not finished fighting it yet.
Posted by: Mudge | September 9, 2009 10:55 PM
Joe Wilson. An AMERICAN hero.
Posted by: JAC | September 9, 2009 11:10 PM
I guarantee you that most of you have not read ANY of the H.R. 4200 bill. Do you really know what is in the bill; what is not?
Have you done your home work or are you taking someone else's word for something so important?
Only the wise/intellects think before responding.
Posted by: Ernestine | September 9, 2009 11:15 PM
Kathleen and Matt, why do you complain about the hate and partisanship now that your party is in charge? You had no problem with it when President Bush was in office.
As for what President Obama said, I think a wise person would wait to read the actual bill instead of believing what any politician says.
Posted by: Ken | September 9, 2009 11:20 PM
Anyone notice Obama did not mention how this $1 trillion plan will be paid for?
Sure it is the cost of another war, but how is that supposed to make me feel good? Kind of a stupid reference to make, not sure why he wants to link health care to war.
Where are the malpractice caps? No way I want to subsidize someones insurance only to have them turn and around and sue the Dr. that the taxpayers provided him with.
Take all ability to sue away from anyone that gets free health care. You want free...you take your chances. You want to pay up...fine, you get better treatment, and ability to sue.
Something has to separate free health care from what we all pay for.
Posted by: SourPatch | September 9, 2009 11:25 PM
For some of you that are posting, it is time to move on from the rhetoric of the elections. This reform will effect many generations to come. We need to make a solid decision that improves our country. I am afraid we are back to play the rush to it game. We did it with Iraq and that didn’t work out so well. Obama may be a great speaker but we still need a program that can work. He has lost me with the buy insurance or pay a fine change. What is this, the mandatory free market model? Healthcare companies that are private are looking out for their bottom line (I have had battles with them over paying bills). Since you will be forced to buy insurance from private companies, how will this lower costs? We are also shifting responsibility for finding healthcare to citizens. If this passes, it will not be too long in the future that companies stop offering healthcare as part of the employment package. Our reform should be like Germany’s reform in the 1990s. Everybody is covered with government healthcare with a option to get private insurance, IF you can find a better deal. This political/corporate driven reform is only going to make the situation worse.
Posted by: MTW48 | September 9, 2009 11:27 PM
Obama: My mind is aglow with whirling, transient nodes of thought careening through a cosmic vapor of healthcare invention.
Posted by: Chris | September 9, 2009 11:28 PM
One very simple question. The President suggested that all americans should have insurance, similar to the auto insurance mandate. If an individual does not have insurance, are they going to be denied service from the ER?
Posted by: ethan | September 9, 2009 11:30 PM
It takes a certain type of man to yell out in the middle of a presidential speech to Congress and the American people. A republican.
Posted by: bill r. | September 9, 2009 11:35 PM
hmmm 900 billions dollars for only 5 percent. Doesn't add up no matter how many ways you try to calculate it.
Posted by: Dusty | September 9, 2009 11:39 PM
Mustapha said on this night, the 9th night of the 9th month of the 09 year of the 21st century, that if nothing is done, i.e., the democrats’ plan for micro-mis-managing your health is not implemented, then:
- Deficits will grow
- Businesses will fail
- Americans will become bankrupt
- Individuals will lose their insurance
- Folks will Die
I honestly thought that this is the democrats’ overall Master Plan for EVERYTHING without regard to any kind of additional premium consideration for one’s physical health. I am, ostensibly, already in phase 4.5 of this fine Master Plan of “hope” and “change”. There’s more??? Please don’t tell me that. This is not a good story.
Posted by: Django - N Exile In/Around the 30th Parallel | September 10, 2009 12:14 AM
obamacare:
all the compassion of the irs
all the efficiency of the post office
all the effectiveness of fema
Posted by: oldchicago | September 10, 2009 12:46 AM
Rep. Joe Wilson for President!! He speaks for me.
Posted by: CLS1212 | September 10, 2009 12:55 AM
Really!! Reports have started to come out on all the bailouts. They did not do the job, flame me if you like but, come next year you're see for you're self. Stocks will go up more before they tank again. Gas will head up soon. Gold already is as the dollar goes down. And people really think Obamacare is going to work.
Posted by: Crooks_In_DC | September 10, 2009 2:09 AM
Yes Ernestine, I've read the bill. It took me 8 long, long nights to get through it. And by the way it's H.R. 3200, pure government takeover.
Posted by: Mary | September 10, 2009 2:52 AM
I recommend you a very interesting place ______ MyWealthyLove.com_______ It 's where you have the opportunity dreaming about dating a millionaire and make it true!
Posted by: mywealth | September 10, 2009 3:23 AM
It is time to stop playing games. I wish Obama would stop playing those games and stop lying.
Did anybody notice he changed the rhetoric to "nothing in the this bill will require you to change your insurance". That is a substantial change from "if you like your health insurance, you can keep it".
Obama did lie about illegals. Until there is a verification procedure, illegals will be covered.
Rick
Posted by: Rick Caird | September 10, 2009 6:50 AM
To Teresa K in response to "The Republican knuckledragger who yelled shoud have been pulled off the floor and beaten with a stupid stick on national tv." I guess freedom of speech only means letting people you agree with talk? When Obama uses fear tactics "pass this stimulus or the unemployment rate will hit 8%" (btw even with the stimulus it is well over 9%, so much for the job creation) it is ok?
Posted by: Wayne | September 9, 2009 10:28 PM
First of all, Wayne, did you SEE or HEAR of the knuckledragger actually being beaten? Was he arrested? Did knuckledragger bear ANY KIND OF hardship because of what he said? I believe it would be the case that he finished the evening quite unbeaten, un-arrested and unabused in every way. Therefore, his freedom of speech was NOT infringed, and it's ridiculous for you to say it was. You people have had -- and made use of -- every POSSIBLE permutation of freedom of speech in protesting, in shouting down others who want to speak (as long as it's not what you want to hear), and in belching out your party's dogma, day after day after day.
When Bush was in office, Publicans were hollering left and right that those who didn't agree with the President should be arrested, deported, or shot (and often all three). People who protested Bush's policies actually GOT arrested (if they had the nerve to step outside his "freedom of speech zones"). THAT Administration used a great MANY fear tactics (and the remnants are STILL trying to use them). I don't see any kind of outrage on your part for any of that. So apparently, Repubicans ONLY have a problem with freedoms being taken away and with strong-arm tactics when they're not the ones taking away the freedoms or threatening others into doing what they dictate.
Posted by: Op109 | September 10, 2009 7:32 AM
The bill is about unionizing the healthcare industry too. See
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203440104574400571702189240.html .
It really is a mess. Hopefully people will stand strong and defeat it.
Posted by: Alz | September 10, 2009 7:40 AM
Obama's plan will have death panels for illegal aliens.
Posted by: Joel | September 10, 2009 7:54 AM
I actually thought some T-Baggers had gained access to the venue. Perhaps Socialist Pinky guy.
BTW, if he is a hero, why is he trying to apologize today?
Posted by: C.Morris✧ | September 10, 2009 8:24 AM
Scottie,
There you go lying again - I Thought you were done responding to me?
Yes I did complain when Bush and the GOP spent too much. That's just another lie from you.
Cause millions of deaths? Please provide a credible source for that lie.
Would that be like FDR invading a soviergn country of Germany? Truman invading a soveriegn country of North Korea? JFK/LBJ invading the soviergn country of North VietNam? Bush41 invading the soveriegn country of Iraq?
BillyR,
Let's compare casulaties - 417,000 in WW2, 54,000 in teh Korean War, and 58,000 in VietNam War. As far as the cost, the $9 Trillion deficit is all BO, it has nothing to do with the money spent by President Bush. BO could defund the war right now.
Posted by: Terry | September 10, 2009 8:30 AM
Obama lies! We can't afford this multi-trillion deficit! We want less government, no coverage for illegal aliens, and less government spending of our hard earned money.
Any one of our congress critters who votes to support this mess must be voted OUT.
Posted by: joe | September 10, 2009 8:47 AM
So...stop the bickering...let's be bipartisan...Obama encourages. Yet, Dems have yet worked with any Republicans or let them join the conversation on health care reform. Does Obama know what bipartisan means? Doesn't seem so...
Posted by: AL | September 10, 2009 9:21 AM
NEWSFLASH: Wilson only said what a majority of us were thinking. He is a hero!!!
I am amazed, still, at how many people think this government run healthcare is "free".
Why is obama's aunt STILL here illegally receiving a government check from us, the taxpayers.
Of course he wants her to have "free" healthcare, on our dime.
obama is full of himself and last night he proved what most Americans already know - he is a habitual LIAR.
Obama's speech tonight: "There are now more than thirty million American citizens who cannot get coverage."
Obama presser, Guadalajara, Mexico, 8/10/09: "We've got 46-47 million people without health insurance in our country."
Hey, what's a 50% mistake coming from a president who is a Harvard Law School graduate?
Posted by: sharon | September 10, 2009 9:32 AM
i have an idea for where to come up with some extra cash, which could be used for health care: call up don rumsfeld and ask him if he ever found the 2.3 trillion dollars he announced was missing from the department of defense. remember that? he announced it 8 years ago today, on september 10th, 2001.
Posted by: bauer | September 10, 2009 9:39 AM
I doubt it. People want change. Scaring them won't help. That's what lost the Republicans control in the first place. Every time the Democrats come up with something, the Republicans can only respond with scare tactics. Someday, they will have to show up with a real argument. I'm not even a democrat and I can see through those arguments.
Posted by: Dan | September 10, 2009 9:42 AM
C.Morris why said that. Does not MSNBC cover the kiddie news, using small minded words for their small minded viewers. Do the Tax Parties scare you that bad that you much act like a little kid. And just about every one sitting in that hall last night lies and do it every day. How do you think they made it to DC?
Posted by: Crooks_In_DC | September 10, 2009 11:03 AM
President Obama’s heath care promises won’t be kept. Costs will rise exponentially, NOT fall. Therefore, our taxes will be the ones to pay for it. We need to support the goal of covering all individuals through private health insurance. We are NOT prepared to turn our health system over to the government.
http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/issues/index.cfm?ID=300 .
Posted by: Audrey | September 10, 2009 11:04 AM
Healthcare is goal for society.
Posted by: Real Estate Attorney | September 10, 2009 11:05 AM
I wonder if someone would clarify something for me. I am a full time student, I also work and I volunteer...this is 7 days a week. I was not able to get medical assistance when I was sick, and was told the reason being is that I am not "disabled" and can work. Well, unfortunately I do work, but I have to pay rent, bills, car insurance etc. Therefore I was forced to use student loan money to purchase health insurance. The question I have is...would this bill benefit me or would I still be paying for my insurance along with paying for others? I do not understand this system, I see plenty of other people that can work/are not disabled, yet they are allowed free healthcare, what is going on???
Posted by: ksg | September 10, 2009 11:39 AM
Audrey, costs are rising exponentially NOW. What exactly have the private insurance companies been doing to address that? Nothing. They prefer it that way. Do you really believe that the insurance companies want their revenue to go down? of course they don't. They want continual growth. That's why Americans pay 1 1/2 times more per capita for healthcare than any other country, yet we do not get better results.
Posted by: Lou | September 10, 2009 12:13 PM
Let's not forget that what we commoners think of as 'healthcare costs' are the 'profits' for the privateer health insurance industry.
Our costs = their profits.
ksg,
The public option would be for you, but it looks doubtful that will happen.
Under any plan, however, you would have to pay a premium of some sort. You don't qualify for Medicaid because you are not destitute.
Posted by: C.Morris✧ | September 10, 2009 12:31 PM
Thank you for your response. I have no problems paying a premium, I just want the system to be fair and to be equal. It is really frustrating when you work so hard for something and you see others that are just as capable getting handouts. Maybe that sounds harsh, but it is just frustrating. I understand that some people may really need the help, but what about the others that can work just the same as me, and should be able to support themselves. Everyone struggles, especially right now. I just get really upset, before I went back to school I was working 2 jobs from 8 am to 1200 am 6 days a week, and that was just to get by and pay my regular bills and also to pay my mounting medical bills due to the fact that I was uninsured at the time and was unable to receive assistance.
Posted by: ksg | September 10, 2009 12:51 PM
It's funny how liberals are so easily able to ignore the fact that healthcare has been steadily getting better. People are living longer and the tools/drugs available are astounding.
Guess what, some of it costs more!
Posted by: Alz | September 10, 2009 5:12 PM
Posted by: Terry | September 10, 2009 8:30 AM
Yes I did complain when Bush and the GOP spent too much. That's just another lie from you.
AS IF ANYONE ON THIS BLOG BELIEVES THAT!
Cause millions of deaths? Please provide a credible source for that lie.
NOT A LIE A FACT AND SINCE YOU'RE SO GOOD AT ADDING HERE YOU GO:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casualties_of_the_Iraq_War
Would that be like FDR invading a soviergn country of Germany?
OK NOW YOU'RE REALLY BEING ANIDIOT. GERMANY WAS AT WAR WITH THE WORLD YOU MORON!
Truman invading a soveriegn country of North Korea?
I NEVER AGREED WITH THAT ONE. SORRY DUDE.
JFK/LBJ invading the soviergn country of North VietNam?
Bush41 invading the soveriegn country of Iraq?
I NEVER AGREED WITH THE REASONING WITH THOSE WARS EITHER .
The initial fact of this subject remains. Bush created the largest Government and largest deficit in history prior to President Obama. Bush presided over a $2.5 trillion increase in the public debt through 2008. Setting aside 2009 where both Bush and Obama share responsibility for an additional $2.6 trillion in public debt!
The bottom line for you is no healthcare for anyone who cant afford it but sure go ahead and spend gazillions on an illegal war!
Nice.
Posted by: Scot S. Blakeley | September 10, 2009 8:00 PM
Alz,
Except in America, of course.
The infant mortality rate is higher and the life expectancy here is lower than all other developed countries.
In fact, Reganomics in general, has reduced us to just above third world status in general. Just look at our highways and public works.
Given another round of power the Republics will make sure we get there.
Posted by: C.Morris✧ | September 10, 2009 8:49 PM
"People are living longer and the tools/drugs available are astounding.
Guess what, some of it costs more!
Posted by: Alz | September 10, 2009 5:12 PM"
I don't know what you are implying, but just read or hear the disclaimers associated with some of these wonder drugs;
Anti-depressants that warn about causing psychotic reactions and suicidal tendencies. I think they are afraid to tell us about the homicidal effects.
Cholesterol and blood pressure meds that warn of increased heart attack risk.
Astounding drugs indeed.
Posted by: OldCreaky | September 10, 2009 8:53 PM
Scotty,
That survey of Iraqi deaths has a range of 700,000 - I wouldn't call that accurate.
"largest deficit in history prior to President Obama" - in raw dollars, yes, but the true measure of any defcit is against the country's GDP - the largest would be FDR during WW2, which even BO will rank a distant second from when history is finalized.
Bottom line for me is no more gov't entitlements until BO can get the deficits under control. There is no gov't entitlement that has ever been run under budget. There is no state gov't that has health insurance that is in good finnacial shape. The free-market will be the only place where the 20 million uninsured can get insurance cheap, w/o breaking the bank.
Which front of the war on terror is illegal - Iraq or Afghanistan?
Posted by: Terry | September 10, 2009 10:45 PM
Health care or not, I’m partisan to a president that can lower my taxes and fix what the housing market “greed” created… Just get the job market back up and avoid more scams…
Posted by: aaroncrowe | September 11, 2009 2:44 PM
I don't understand why Obama does not remind the conservatives in America of George Bushes 1999 Texas death councils. It was a way to save money by cutting off treatment of poor people.
Just asking.
Posted by: Neutral Lady | September 11, 2009 7:38 PM
NL,
Right you are. GWB, egged on by Tom DeLay, Armey, and that worm in the Senate Graham, wanted to save some Texas $$ and pushed the 'kill em with warrants' bill in 1999.
Oh yes, even though DeLay et. all were in the US congress they tampered in local Texass politics.
These are the real death panels Palin was referring to.
Posted by: OldCreaky | September 11, 2009 8:16 PM
This is good step taken by him to reduce lots of speculation and criticism about the health care reform.
Posted by: nintendo ds zubehör | October 30, 2009 7:18 AM