There were a few paragraphs on Healthcare Reform in the President’s State of the Union Address tonight. Although he didn’t lay out a clear direction, he loosely re-endorsed the Senate Bill (I bolded that section for emphasis). Here are the relavent sections from the official transcript:
Now let’s be clear – I did not choose to tackle this issue [Healthcare Reform] to get some legislative victory under my belt. And by now it should be fairly obvious that I didn’t take on health care because it was good politics.
I took on health care because of the stories I’ve heard from Americans with pre-existing conditions whose lives depend on getting coverage; patients who’ve been denied coverage; and families – even those with insurance – who are just one illness away from financial ruin.
After nearly a century of trying, we are closer than ever to bringing more security to the lives of so many Americans. The approach we’ve taken would protect every American from the worst practices of the insurance industry. It would give small businesses and uninsured Americans a chance to choose an affordable health care plan in a competitive market. It would require every insurance plan to cover preventive care. And by the way, I want to acknowledge our First Lady, Michelle Obama, who this year is creating a national movement to tackle the epidemic of childhood obesity and make our kids healthier.
Our approach would preserve the right of Americans who have insurance to keep their doctor and their plan. It would reduce costs and premiums for millions of families and businesses. And according to the Congressional Budget Office – the independent organization that both parties have cited as the official scorekeeper for Congress – our approach would bring down the deficit by as much as $1 trillion over the next two decades.
Still, this is a complex issue, and the longer it was debated, the more skeptical people became. I take my share of the blame for not explaining it more clearly to the American people. And I know that with all the lobbying and horse-trading, this process left most Americans wondering what’s in it for them.
But I also know this problem is not going away. By the time I’m finished speaking tonight, more Americans will have lost their health insurance. Millions will lose it this year. Our deficit will grow. Premiums will go up. Patients will be denied the care they need. Small business owners will continue to drop coverage altogether. I will not walk away from these Americans, and neither should the people in this chamber.
As temperatures cool, I want everyone to take another look at the plan we’ve proposed. There’s a reason why many doctors, nurses, and health care experts who know our system best consider this approach a vast improvement over the status quo. But if anyone from either party has a better approach that will bring down premiums, bring down the deficit, cover the uninsured, strengthen Medicare for seniors, and stop insurance company abuses, let me know. Here’s what I ask of Congress, though: Do not walk away from reform. Not now. Not when we are so close. Let us find a way to come together and finish the job for the American people.
I was wondering if anyone has any recommendations on a good telemarketing company that can set my appointments for me for Medicare Supplements?
Certainly no worse than “Darth Vader” Cheney and numb nuts Hastert sitting behind Bush for 8 years.
The Dems. still have a majority, they just don’t seem to know it. Since when did it take 60 votes to get stuff done? I’d call their bluff. Let them filibuster, then get it done.
Don’t quit your day job to become a health care policy analyst, Larry.
You DO have a day job , don’t you?
I don’t know which Larry you are referring to. Whatever, sounds like you’re the genius wanna-be.
When bigots can’t use their typical vernacular because it’s not socially acceptable they revert to terms such as “arrogant” and “condescending”. Astounding!
No, what’s astounding is that you can’t even figure out it was directed at you, as clearly indicated by the structure of the “reply” feature on this blog.
My remarks were appropriate as well as true, whether you like it, or not.
Apparently your day job isn’t enough to keep your little mind occupied and otherwise out of trouble, is it?
“Bigots”!
As if…..
Anything else of no particular merit or value you feel the need to say?
I’m not a frequent blogger so thanks for your consideration on that matter. You emulate the condescension you previously condemned.
Your opinion of your remarks is exactly that—your opinion, whether YOU like it or not. Obviously anyone who disagrees is wrong, again, in your opinion.
Your obsession with my “day job” is irrelevant here. Slanderous comments about one’s intellect only serve to unveil an underlying problem with which the author will have to contend.
Merit and value; the assumption here is that you know the meaning of the terms. If so, we can all rejoice in the fact that when Bush relinquished his role as “decider”, he appointed you to fulfill that role.
I was right…..you had nothing of value to add.
Why am I not surprised?
Then why bother reading it?
Anonymous? What happened to Bubba? Bubba; that’s a redneck moniker isn’t it? You a redneck Bubba? Is that why you hate Obama? The boy’s black. Pretty well sums it up doesn’t it?
(yawn)
Maybe a better cause for the First Lady should be “castration of the absent fathers” who contribute to high Medical costs. Boy, she could get a rose in her hat for saving all that money! While she’s at it maybe she can get legislation passed that would make “urine testing” mandatory for all Welfare receipients.
I’m sure whatever the Pres does in regards to Health Care Reform, will be fully disclosed in the most transparent of ways.
By the way, how did you like the performance of the two “puppets” behind the Pres who kept jumping up and down and clapping? I laughed my ass off!!!!
Great point about the Republicans. Guess that after the house passed their bill and sent it to the senate with a supermajority, it was the republican’s fault nothing got passed.
When are liberals going to blame democrats for something?
I’m a Libertarian so I think both parties stink. But the democrats stink just a bit more. It’s their fault that heatlh INSURANCE reform did not pass. They held all the cards but didn’t know how to go all-in.
Idiots.
Rick
Obviously the previous comments from the party of “no”. I hope he gets it done. I have a stack of denials big enough to choke a horse because of pre-existing conditions. Arthritis, surgery 5 years ago, deviated septum, too many medications, just to name a few. Your Bush appointed majority Supreme Court just opened the door for big business and lobbyist to decide who runs our country. No one can out spend them. But then I guess you Republicans think big business should be in control.
The arrogance and the condescension he’s displayed are simply astounding.
Has anyone ever seen a President scold Supreme Court Justices on national TV? They don’t answer to him. Obama is not just arrogant, he is an embarrassment to this country.
He’s taking the blame for not exlaining things clearly enough to we retarded folks.
He forgot to mention transparency…………hmmmmm. or why C-span is not being used..hmmmmmmm