American Morning
Obama: Reform 'central' to economic recovery
WASHINGTON (CNN) - President Obama said Wednesday he was unable to guarantee that health care reform won't change how Americans get medical treatment, but he said any changes would be necessary and positive.
In a nationally televised news conference dominated by the health care issue, Obama delivered lengthy statements in response to Republican attacks on proposals he favors.
He also attempted to ease the concerns of people left confused by the fierce debate in Washington.
He repeatedly emphasized that the spiraling costs of the current system would bankrupt the nation while denying coverage to millions more Americans.
Asked directly if he could guarantee that an overhauled health care system won't change how people receive treatment, Obama said no.
"The whole point of this is to try to encourage what works," Obama said, addressing concerns that reform would take away the ability of people to choose their doctors and treatment.
Watch Obama describe importance of "getting it right" 
What's your reaction to Obama's health care speech? Tell us your thoughts.
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I want to interject my support for the President's leadership in health care reform. It took awhile to read all the comments, so in the interest of time:
1. Erroneous assumption "biggest problem is people don't want to pay..." from Claudia.
2.I agree with Eileen @9:06 am, Willie @ 9:40 am, and bravo to Donna Scott's 8:11 am comment about the Canadian system. We are not following the Canadian model though, and should not be compared to the public option.
3. Hillary Clinton tried to pass health reform – and insurance companies did not allow themselves to be regulated. From the Clinton era through "W"'s and Cheney's reign as king, health care reform has been on the platform but nothing has gotten through the legislature. President Obama is leading the charge to get something done this year - and I don't consider that to mean it is a rush job – I would think it is work in progress that needs to have an end. Then the amendment process begins.
4. Tort reform does not lower the cost of health care nor improve the quality of health care. Take Texas as an example, caps placed on malpractice insurance did not lower the cost of health care in Texas and Texas is ranked #47 in health care quality.
It is hard to believe that any one of us have the answer or we would be president. We, the public, have a president that cares about us as a nation. We should stand behind him. Send your solutions to the white house or your congressional representative.
He can't control everyone? How funny is that?? He seems to use a Chicago bully system to control everyone! And down and nasty?? Lord forbid!! I believe he has passed "down and nasty" a long time ago! Please don't encourage him! He really doesn't need it! He already knew of the horrible waste already taking place in the federally funded medical programs that we currently have, yet he did nothing to stop it! Look what he did with the stimulas!! We need new jobs first! Then we may have the extra $$$$ to help fix the problem! I do not wish however to EVER HAVE TO pay for abortions! BAN THEM! Why should I, OR ANYONE have to pay for something that our morals and religion fully do not support! They made thier own beds.... now lie in them. Or.... they messed thier own beds up, so STAY OUT OF THEM! But, please do not expect ME TO PAY FOR IT! Jo, you do sound like a generous lady. Please feel free to donate your hard earned money to help these woman pay for thier sins.. I will not be having an abortion, I will not pay for one either. My religion FORBIDS ME TO! Where is your religious beliefs people? Are they all lost? We used to be a country of morals. Now, we seem to be a country of morons.
I think that anything other than bringing our jobs home is going to bankrupt the country. We have more money going out of the country than coming in. It's simple math really. How to fix the economy??? Bring American jobs back to America and BUY AMERICAN!!!
We need reform . I can not pay anymore for this . we need to have it just like Canada and all the rest of the world. I do not want to pay $50.00 for a band aid.People please wake up The insurance companys are killing us.
I support President Obama 100% on his proposal for Universal Health Care. There are 47 million people here in America who don't have medical insurance. People have died and are dying every day from the lack of getting the proper medical health care that they desperately need because they don't have medical insurance. Sick people are being turned down at the hospital doors due to them not having any medical insurance and sent away. Something has to be done now; and I'm so glad that President Obama is finally doing something about it. President Obama isn't rushing this medical plan by trying to get it passed asap. Having universal medical health care in the U.S.A. isn't something that he just dreamed up last week that he thought these 47 million people without insurance might need. This plan should have been in affect decades ago. I believe that President Obama is doing the right thing. You Go Mr. President! I'm behind you all the way!
I agree that if we don't fix some of the problems or attempt to fix them then the country would be bankrupt and people we be complaining about why the President didn't act sooner. Remember he can't control or please everyone but now I think he should get down right nasty and make the Health Care Project a priority and stop letting the Lobbyist who have good insurance ruin our chance to save money.
I own a independent pharmacy in a small town and have direct contact with all the people the president hopes to help. Right now it sounds like he has all the fox gathered to find a solution on how to help the chickens.
I am one of those people who understands there needs to be change in health care and insurance and if "reform" is the right word, then so be it. BUT, I have yet to hear answers so many questions about these bills the President is so adamant about trying to cram down and race through without any "middle-Americans" really knowing what will happen with existing health care most of us have!
This is going to cost money down the road - for all of us.
I don't believe my employer is going to keep my present health care plan when there is another cheaper (government run) policy in the mix.
That means I have to change my health care coverage.
To me, the President makes it sound like the moment he gets a bill he's happy with from Congress and signs it, that OVERNIGHT the health care insurance industry and health care industry itself are going to be transformed and we will immediately start lowering costs! That's not going to happen, folks!! Why do you think the President keeps saying "10 years from now" - because it's probably going to take that long before any of us start seeing real savings or real changes in health care or insurance. In the mean time, yes prices will continue to go up. And on that I agree change needs to come.
Can't he at least be honest and say this is going to take some time?
Why not make the adjustments they say can be made in Medicare/Medicaid that will pay for 2/3 of the reform and see how that works first? If that much money is being wasted now then I'm all for using it to start helping – but there is also no way the last 1/3 of the money needed to pay for this will not be funneled to all of us "middle Americans" in some shape or form to help pay for this.
How can this not cost all of us when 47 million uninsured people are now going to have insurance? Believe me, there is plenty of verbiage in those thousands of pages of bills floating around right now, that will include hikes in several kinds of fees and/or taxes that will ultimately mean we will all pay in some form or another.
Of course it won't raise the deficit – because we'll all be paying for it!
Why is it that LAWYERS are so concerned about the affordability of healthcare? Yet, these same LAWYERS fight tooth & nail against TORT REFORM.
Moreover, if LAWYERS such as Clinton, Edwards, Obama, etc. were truly concerned about the availabilty, affordability and quality of healthcare; why have NONE of them returned to school to pursue careers in healthcare?
"Do as I say, not as I do!"
Socialist-Democrat motto.
My father in law is in a care center, unable to walk or talk...his insurance cmnpany, Blue Cross, is billed $395 PER MONTH for his wheel chair !!!! I have tried to work with them to purchase one, instead of his insurance pay over and over, but it's impossible to change this broken system on person at a time.
I am opposed to the nationalization of healthcare. I believe tort reform should be a focus of reforming healthcare. I am terrified of the rationing that will inevitably come with this proposal. He is saying that 2/3 of the cost will be covered already through the $600Billion that will be saved from Medicare and Medicaid. What happens to the elderly and the disabled who have been receiving that $600Billion worth of healthcare? A lot of that money will be taken from their healthcare and given to others who may need it less than they do and who have not worked hard for it as many of our seniors have done. I am terrified of a Medical Review Board in Wash. that will have access to everyone's electronic health records and that will then make decisions on whether someone will be deemed "worthy" of certain procedures and will get or not get the care that their Doctor thinks they should get. This inevitably leads to a subtle form of euthanasia. Our County already offers healthcare to people without insurance. Children can get wellchild checkups for free until age 21. Adults can get treatment and pay on a sliding scale based on their income. Many counties already have this sort of system but it is not well advertised. Many states already have insurance for the very poor and also offer insurance at a reduced rate to those who don't qualify for the free program. I think the reform needs to come in reducing the outrageous lawsuit payments that doctors and hospitals sometimes are forced to pay out which in turn raises the malpractice insurance payments which in turn raises the cost of healthcare. People who need drastic amounts of care have the Medicaid option already in place. I don't think our healthcare system needs a complete overhaul but much more modest intervention because I see it as the best healthcare system in the world–not a broken system of Healthcare. Please, President Obama, don't break it!
The biggest problem with health care today is that people don't want to pay for insurance and then complain that they can't pay the medical bills they incur without it. The Obama proposal will not address this problem because it allows people to wait until they get sick to purchase a policy and then imposes the higher cost on the taxpayer. This is rather like not requiring people to pay into Social Security until they decide they are ready to retire. It just won't work.
Some of those posting here have challenged the people who do not like Obama's plan to suggest an alternative, so here is my proposal to fix health care.
First, we should federalize insurance regulation so the regulations are uniform from state to state, reducing the burdensome public and private management of fifty different regulatory, accounting and billing systems. This would also facilitate the development and installation of national electronic record storage and retrieval systems.
Then the federal government could require all private companies engaged in the business of issuing health insurance to offer a base level insurance policy for a set uniform price with no exclusions whatsoever to anyone who comes through the door. This policy would be administered by the private companies, but underwritten by the federal government.
Having private companies administer these policies would encourage efficiencies we would never see in a government agency. Moreover, private companies would be motivated to get people to come to them for these policies because they could offer enhanced policies to those who want and can pay for more than the base policy. The additional coverage would of course vary in price depending on the insured's medical history and what the insured wants.
Medical services covered by the basic policy would be provided by Americorps participants, and by faculties and staff of government supported teaching universities. Teaching universities are already carrying the cost of providing indigent medical care because they are not allowed to turn patients away due to an inability to pay. Other hospitals could also provide services if they choose to compete with these programs. They do for medicare and medicaid patients.
Everyone who has an income would have to buy a base policy, but this would not be any different from everyone participating in Social Security and Medicare through payroll deductions and self employment taxes. And the program could cover every child, the disabled, unemployed and retired, replacing Medicare and Medicaid and reducing the cost of employee and retiree benefit plans for our industries, many of which will be eliminated through bankruptcy anyway. The more people in the pool the lower the cost for each individual.
There might still be some people who would show up at emergency rooms without any insurance, mostly illegals and people who work but do not report their income to the government. But this proposal should provide quality medical care for all Americans.
To all those people who say they know what is in the bill....when did you read it – or are you relying on "talking heads". I am under the impression that no bill has been finalized and that our President talked last night about the fundamental concepts he wants to see included. I am for those concepts. I heard our President say he would not sign anything that increased taxes, or allows insurance companies to invoke "pre-existing" conditions etc. I heard our President say that the open debate is about funding approximately 1/3 of the plan and that there was bi-partisan support about funding the other 2/3. I read this board and it makes me feel like the vast majority of nay-sayers did NOT listen to what he said and that they also have ESP and know the actual contents of an as-yet unfinalized, unsigned, unpassed bill. I do know we need reform....I am NOT hearing any cogent proposals from the nay-sayers. I am interested in hearing about the others ideas. So GOP where's your plan so that we voters can assess, compare and contrast. Put an alternative on the table.
This administration has absolutely NO BUSINESS with thier noses in our healthcare!! He should however, since he already knows this to be true, look into the wastes already happening to the medical healthcare programs which we currently have (medicare, veterans, medicaid, SSI) Goodness!! If he has the POWER to stop this waste, then why didn't he just start right there? This is nothing more than a complete govt. takeover! You are about to give your freedoms away! Our ancestors would roll over in thier graves watching the American People give up thier freedoms so easily! Not even putting up a fight! Thank goodness for dems wiith some comman sence, and for the GOP! Hopefully, they will fight for our freedom if you wish to just give it away! This horrible spending will destroy the American People and our way of life! I think this administration has very bad intention for the American People! MY VOTE IS NO! NO! NO! The medical community is cutting costs. The only one who refused to is this administration! They feel like they have to "TAKEOVER"!! No!! Just stop the horrible waste being done daily to the already in place medical programs! You will have the same terrible medical care that is currently had by our veterans! I know, it is quite terrible!
Read above ...quote...one by Thomas Jefferson. This will be a full takeover where you will end up with NO RIGHTS! You want FREEDOM>>>>> SAY NO!
I read all the cries for help from the gov't. Have the American people been so dumbed down that they can't see what is transpiring in our 'free' country? I have a precious Ukranian friend who could enlighten everyone on what socialized health care looks like and it isn't pretty!!! As a newcomer to th U.S in she was extreamly fearful to go to a Dr. to be treated for an illness or even to be hospitalized for the birth of her baby. After much convincing, that we, in America,have Drs. and nurses we can trust and receive the utmost care from she complied but not without hesitation. The hastiness of President Obama scares me and I fear what our children will have to face in the future because of the decisions he is making today. If gov't gets their hands on our health care I'm afraid those of us who are happy with our current coverage will be 'forced' to submit to the gov't plan because of rising costs. AMERICA, YOU MUST STOP AND THINK!!!! Do you really want every aspect of your now free life to one day be controlled by the government? Because that is where we are headed if this doesn't stop!!
I'm 100% behind the President in terms of health care reform. Not only the escalating costs of health care but we've known for years about the abuses and fraud in Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.
Total health care expenditures in the US in 2008 were $2.4 trillion or 17% of the gross GDP, versus 10.9% in Switzerland; 10.7% in
Germany, 9.7% in Canada and 9.5% in France.
We spend 4.3 times more on health care in this country than we spend on defense.
Employer health insurance premiums increased by 5% in 2008, twice the rate of inflation. More and more companies are dropping health care coverage entirely for their employees.
WE NEED HEALTH CARE REFORM!
More big government is not the answer to any problem and placing healthcare with the government (which is already over one trillion dollars of the annual GDP) compounds this problem.
The government (via the taxes etc of Main Street USA) owns banks, insurance companies, auto manufacturers. What is next, Uncle Sam's Gas and Convenience Stores?
And how many more types of consumption taxes must we endure? Main Street USA needs to examine all the taxes (under whatever name is used) that we pay to fund what government thinks we need.
Healthcare reform should address Tort Reform, though this might be a problem for Capitol Hill as lawyers and attorney firms are some of the largest funding lobbyists and campaign contributors listed in everything I have read.
Let's get politics out of it.
President Obama says healthcare is not political but it is totally political. Check out the pork included in the bill.
"The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government – lest it come to dominate our lives and interests."
Patrick Henry
“Government big enough to supply everything you need is big enough to take everything you have ... The course of history shows that as a government grows, liberty decreases.”
Thomas Jefferson
“Mothers all want their sons to grow up to be president, but they don't want them to become politicians in the process.”
John F. Kennedy
It baffles me the consistency with which the news organizations insist the plan is too expensive or too fast or doesn't lay out enough details. Perhaps every American should be given a good long dose of life without health care. Then everyone would really understand the need for them and every other American. What you guys do not seem to realize that you are no more than a dropped health care insurance policy away from financial ruin. You are in no better shape than those 45 million Americans except you have the coverage and no illness. Else there but for the grace of God goes you. Give America a break and stop prolonging this by constantly reporting the negative. There are plenty of positives that you completely under report. Shame on you.
Comment – President Obama said Wednesday he was unable to guarantee that health care reform won’t change how Americans get medical treatment, but he said any changes would be necessary and positive.
response – what if the change is for the worse. What if the elderly or sick are denied coverage? How can he guarantee this if he or congress have not even read the bill? Can we risk our health? I can't, not for me or my family. I don't want want to pay for insurance for those who can't afford it when we can bareley afford it for ourselve, and beleive me if you tell me we (American taxpayers) are not going to pay, you believe in the Easter bunny.
comment -Obama delivered lengthy statements in response to Republican attacks on proposals he favors.
response- because they don't agree it's an attack. Instead of being defensive, he should seek a compromise and listen to their ideas. This bill is being questioned by Dems as well, they controll the House and Senate.
comment – He also attempted to ease the concerns of people left confused by the fierce debate in Washington.
response – He didn't explain anything explained. I'm just as confused today as I was yesterday. I don't beleive the rich are going to pay. There are not enough wealthy in our country to pay for insurance for 50 million people in our country. I still think every tax payer will pay.
comment -He repeatedly emphasized that the spiraling costs of the current system would bankrupt the nation while denying coverage to millions more Americans.
response – I think his budget will bankrupt the nation. We need reform but he's not willing to sit with both members (Dems and Rep) to seek alternatives. It's his bill - by August. I'm just concerned with why he is pushing it if he hasn't read it. That is wreckless.
Comment – Asked directly if he could guarantee that an overhauled health care system won’t change how people receive treatment, Obama said no. The whole point of this is to try to encourage what works,” Obama said, addressing concerns that reform would take away the ability of people to choose their doctors and treatment"
response – again, how can he say this when he hasn't read the bill. From what I've heard/seen, on CSPAN, what this bill will do is give Americans limited health coverage, long waits for treatement, increase taxes on Americans and small businesses, more loss of jobs (small business can't afford to pay 72% insurance cost per employee or 8% tax penalty), and limit health care for the elderly.
yes I feel we do need Health Care reform. However, not with this bill. This will only make a bad situation worse. With this bill we will not only be uninsured but unemployed.
Our health care system needs fixing. It doesn't need to be abolished. There are so many things being done that can be expanded upon. The example of Safeway Foods is amazing. Other businesses/ industries could be incentivized into doing similar programs. This haste to create a massive national health program is insulting. Any program of this magnitude requires lots of objective thought and careful creation. Rushing through this will not fix the economy but damage it and health care beyond consideration. I feel like the reverse Michelle Obama: for the first time in my 60+ years I am afraid for America.
I am 47 years young and alive thanks to a federal run program called called medicare. I received a kidney and pancreas transplant in Miami,Fl. Thanks to medicare and the doctors and staff at Jackson Hospital and the University of Miami. No money grabbing insurance company would have covered me. Thanks for letting me leave my comment Rodolfo Perez.
I don't why the President thinks he is speaking for all Americans. I also haven't seen anyone dying in the streets from the lack of insurance. He also forgets 60 million Americans didn't vote for him.
I think the American people are just demonstrate how immature they can be. They want to change the channel! They would rather watch a reality show on tv, with people humiliating and hurting themselves (and others) in the quest for money. President Obama offers them another reality and they just want to change the channel!
I am a surgeon's wife and I support health care reform. The system is broken and is bankrupting the country. Republicans look upon reform as an issue they will use to "break" Obama. They don't care about your health, they're getting millions from the insurance and health care lobbies to protect the status quo. They LIVE for lobbyists and bundlers who funnel money into their reelection campaigns. If you have good health, you don't know how good or bad your health insurance is, or maybe you think you don't need it. From a surgeon's perspective, he wants to do his best for you for a decent fee. If he's honest, he will do what's necessary, not as many cases as he can get away with. My husband says Medicare is better than a lot of major insurance companies, and he gets less grief and bureaucratic nonsense from Medicare than the the private insurance gatekeepers who constantly second guess after approving cases, then sometimes refuse to pay after previously OK-ing services. Doctors fees from private insurance have been dropping for over a decade, so let's be real about cost controls. More money is going into the system but quality is going down. But the insurance co's profits are soaring. Reform is needed and now rather than later. For Republicans and Blue Dog Democrats, delay is victory. Don't let them win.
The world should have understood the President on what he want's to accomplish with healthcare reform. The reason some elected officials will have a hard time on seeing it completed is they have been supported by the medical companies by receiving big campaign contributions. The American people can see this is one reason why healthcare reform has never been addressed in this country. I have a medical disease that is rare but yet my first doctor wanted to do surgery without even knowing what this mass disease was which proves exactly what President Obama was talking about in his speech. If we don't put in place some type of controll mechanism to address many of these unnecessary costly steps, health care reform will only get worst and more costly. I urge every citizen to contact their elected official as I have done with U.S.Senators John Cornyn and Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas to support President Obama's health care plan. Our elected officials must do their job because they represent the American people. There was no attemp to address healthcare reform during the Republican Administration over the last 8 years, now is he time regardless of cost. For all the elected officials that want to break the President, then we must and will deal with them at the voting ballot box!!!!
"We can help cut health care costs by eleminating unnecessary tests and sharing information between physicians"
Were going to help health care cost by paying for another 47 million? What kind of logic is that?
I agree with President Obama on the health care issue.
What I would like to see CNN do though is to stop talking to those money bags politicians like Guiliani and others, and talk to some grassroots people (people on the ground) who can potentially become social ills on those same comfortable money bags people in their desperation for proper health care and a decent lifestyle for themselves and their families.
Lets' see how the have-nots feel about the issues for a change, and hopefully then the 'haves' can emphasize with their plight.
Obama's health care speech was just more of nothing. He admits he hasn't read the bill (who has?) and he only spins words around, promising great things which cannot be delivered, and indeed, promising desirable scenarios that are obviously not true. He is not telling us the truth.
1) He says those who have healthcare they like can keep it. Really??? That would be until it disappears, which wouldn't take long. New members wouldn't be admitted, and the older members would be pariahs not in line for treatment or any medical help since the elderly have the highest health costs and would be ignored for treatment. Indeed, any handicapped person, of any age, would be the last considered for any treatment at all. Rationing would prevail.
2) Medicare and Medicaid and Soc Sec would be taxed into oblivion. The administration needs those funds to use in their other programs.
3) Illegal aliens would have health care at any location and with the doctor of their choice, without paying any fees at all. They are at the front of the line.
4) Under the proposed health care, people would be assigned to a specific doctor, or perhaps group of doctors, with no option to select a doctor of their choice. As in Hillary's l993 bill, which was made public and soundly defeated, anyone with the money to go to a doctor outside their assigned group, would likely go to jail, both the doctor and the patient.
5) Why is the administration turning deaf ears to the repeated warnings from Canada and England, who do have the socialized medicine? Canadians come to NY constantly for treatment and surgery. England has told Americans repeatedly that the system of health care we have now we would be very foolish to give up, because the socialized/fascist system does NOT work.
I think passage of the proposed bill would be a disaster for the United States. I wonder what the administration's purpose is in this. It's certainly not for the good of the people. As with the Cap & Trade bill, they at first tried to push it through in a hurry, with no congressmen and certainly not the public having a chance to read it. They didn't WANT us to read it. Over a thousand pages, with no provision for funding, except as Nancy Pelosi said when caught unexpectedly by a reporter, "we'll get it from the SYSTEM." Yeah, right.
I think the American people are just demonstrating how immature they can be. They want to change the channel! They would rather watch a
reality tv show, with people humiliating and hurting themselves (and others) in the quest for money. President Obama offers them another reality; we can't change the channel.
I can feel President Obama's frustration.
I'm agree with president Obama.He is very clear and he looks like he lives inside american famillys,inside their problems.Every american shoud be able to buy affordeble health care plan and be treated as a humah being and not as a number by the docters office.
Those fighting Obama on the healthcare reform will lose their political campaign monies from insurance companies lobbyists. Insuance companies rips us off to get monies to give to these sleezy politrickcians.
Politrickcians do not want you to have options because they will no longer get big monies from lobbyists. People e sensible and support the man who promised to change DC. Help him to keep his promise and do not cry wolf later and say that he did not live up to his promise. That would be on your head an dnot Obama's.
I support President Obama's health reform plan. In fact, he could do more than he is doing. All of those becoming rich, and we know who they are, need to get into the reform mode. They need to getinvolved in the reform effort. We ordinary folks are not going away. We want reform,now.
Those fighting Obama on healthcare reform will lose the monies they get from lobbyist for these insurance companies to run their political campaigns. This is why they will not vote for the reform and are trying to scare the public. Stinky politics played by smelly, lying, jacket and tied men as usual.
Obama promised to rid Washington of lobbyist and shake things up. He is trying to live up to his campaign promise and they are fighting him for their own self gains.
Obama is already president an dhe has athe best healthcare. He is not lookign for anything out of t. Those ogling over the presidency and want lobbyist monies are the ones with an agenda.
We need health care reform now!
Stop the partisan bickering and politics and get it done.
I am disappointed that many of our senators and representatives from Texas will not put the people's interest first!
We can help cut health care costs by eleminating unnecessary tests and sharing information between physicians.
I had a couple of moles removed. The physician said they probably were not cancerous but had to be tested anyway at a cost of $200 each!
I think the President missed a real opportunity last night. When it comes to containing costs for health care each and every American has an important role to play in containing or reducing costs. Obama should have, and could have, encouraged each and every American to do their part in reducing the cost of health care by maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
He should have called on each and every American to do their part. We all have a role to play in this "crisis". We all need to examine our lifestyle choices - and incorporate changes that will improve our overall health (e.g. increase physical activity, eliminate nutritionally bankrupt foods from diet, reduce portion sizes, eat more fruits and vegetables, quit smoking, limit alcohol, etc)
Someone needs to implore the American public to make better lifestyle choices for their own benefit and the benefit of all in terms of reduced financial burden.
Who's going to be the first to say publicly what Americans most need to hear???
I do not think that any Democrat or Republican disagrees that the health care system needs reform. But the President's news conference only raised more questions than answered them. How can the American people believe that our government can effectively run a new health care system when Medicare and Medicaid are bloated and poorly managed? We need to fix the current issues w/ the health system. High prices, tort reform, portability of health care and lower prescription drug prices. We do not need higher taxes, bigger government and more debt. The President says the program will not add to the deficient but as with all government programs someone has to pay. It's just a matter of who!
Anybody old enough to witness the evolution of medical care in America will tell its simple........enact legislation to push the insurance companies out of the medical business The federal government will be the insurer until the medical profession can get on tis feet again like they were before. Legislate the fat cats and crooks out....period.
Our health care system is NOT working! I have great insurance because my husband works for a very large company that has negotiating power. My mother, on the other hand, does not. She works for a company that employs 6 people. Her health care costs are more than double mine. How is that fair?
I encourage a hard look at how we reform the health care system, but saying that we're not going to get the same level of care when we have a government option is ignoring the fact that millions of people do not have access to health care now! It also ignore the fact that people do not have the same access to health insurance. (ie – my mom would sign-up for my health care insurance in a minute).
I will happily listen to criticisms of Obama's Health Care Reform if the opposition provides a solution and doesn't just complain. I haven't heard a viable option from the Republicans? Where is it?
I am a primary care physician and a small business owner. I have a lot of "skin in the game." I think the President's approach to this very complex problem is the correct approach, and it is refreshing to have a President with such strong command of the facts. I don't look forward to the pain of change, but reform is badly needed. There is a lot of waste in our current system., and so many inequities that lead to sub-standard care. We can do so much better than the 'status quo."
Put health care reform aside for a moment. We are experiencing a huge change in this country. For the first time in my lifetime, even the Average Joe on the street is discussing ISSUES. For a change debate is moving from the world of ad hominem (attacking the person) to substance. It will be through this sort of change that we will eventually be able to solve issues like health care reform. Whether you agree with his policies or not, any rational person that does not see the increased focus on issues is a person wearing blinders and entrenched in ideology rather than logic and reasoning. My informal non-scientific survey reveals that mentality finds fertile ground in those who criticize while offering no alternatives.
The private insurance companies charge what they want and the general public has no choice but to accept it. The creation of a public insurance plan would force the large private companies to get a reality check and become competative instead of ageeing to high rates by all with little coverage. If the insurance companies didn't charge such high rates for next to no coverage we wouldn't need a public plan. The other part of the equation is the cost of malpractice insurance. Dr's wouldn't need to charge what they do if they didn't have enormous insurance rates caused by a sue happy few. My insurance with my employer has gone up about 10% every year as the coverage gets worse. With the ecconomy in the shape it is we were forced to take a 10% pay cut. The insurance companies should be made to reduce thier outrageous rates.
Obama is going way too fast trying to push HIS agenda. This is way too important of an issue and look what happened with HIS stimulus package that was moved so quickly. It is a disaster. He needs to focus on helping creating small businesses and get people back to work instead of his agenda of socializing and nationalizing america.
Doesn't he get that people don't want government running their lives. We're smarter than the government.
The health care plan which was "sort of" described by Pres. Obama is a complete recipe for failure. He and Pelosi say no co-pays. That in itself will add to rationing. People should pay co-pays and basic premiums according to their means (based on taxable income). If people don't have any skin in the game some people will totally overtax the system making impossible for others to get prompt care.
Worst of all, with "no cost" (visibily) to patients, most people will opt for the government plan. By the time they find out it's not doing what was promised, the private plans will have been run out of business. The US will be no more able to prevent rationing and long waits than Europe and Canada. Plus, in 5 years all private plans will be reviewed by the government to be sure they are compatible with the gov. plan. That's frightening. The gov. can't keep Medicare and Medicaid from going broke, how can they do it all any better?
The whole thing sound like a GIANT "BAIT AND SWITCH" scam. I personally know both Canadian and British citizens who have government health care. THEY DON'T LIKE IT, AND THEY HAVE NO CHOICE. Once the government starts doing health care many people and businesses will swith to it. We will not be able to go back to the private sector insurance. Anyone who says that is not true is not dealing with the nature of the human character. If you build it and its cheaper they will come.
I was hesitant about the Presidents health care plan before last night, and now after hearing him speak I am postive now I am against it. There were no detalis given, and the President hasn't even read the bill. How as a citizen am I supposed feel good about what he said. What I heard was our President blaming the Republicans as a way of trying to hide the fact that the Democrats aren't on board with our Presidents plan. Remember the Wendys commercial "Wheres the Beef"??? Well Mr. President Wheres the Beef???
I have absolutely no trust in Obama. He is a socialist and is a detriment to the values of this country.
This Health care reform is "his" latest idea to spread the wealth
To take away from hard working Americans and give to the lazy and illegals.
If he wants to have a universal plan. we should have the same health care coverage that is available to congress and government employees.
One of the main questions that remains unanswered is who will decide what care is appropriate for each person. Last night Obama stated that the only thing individuals will have to give up is unnecessary care. The dilemma lies in the fact of who decides what is deemed unnecessary. If the doctor is not being pushed to make one decision versus another, then this is a non-issue. I wish I could just believe that idea.
Why not a Government healthcare option? Right now the major healthcare insurers have no incentive to provide better services and/or better rates since there is no one to compete with them. Wouldn't the analogy of GEICO (Government employee insurance company) make sense here? Since GEICO was made available to the public, auto insurers have been forced to provide higher quality at a better price–thee were no Progressive Concierge programs 10 years ago! Might not the same results occur in the healthcare sector?
While i don't have all the fiscal facts in front of me I can't help but wonder why we would take money from one established health care system(medicaid, medicare) to create another one. Wouldn't it be easier and more cost effective to rework the medicaid system to include all people instead of only children and the elderly. This plan appears to be counterproductive. Which is easier on the wallet: Buying and building a house from the foundation up or tearing down a few walls and adding a new room.
We could reduce the cost of drugs by letting up buy from manufacturers in Canada. We buy all types of junk from China that is harmful to us, toys with lead in paint, wallboard and numerous other products yet we can't buy medicine from Canada, do you think the drug lobbyist have a hand in us not being able to buy medicine. Congress needs to get the drug lobbyist hands out of their pockets and relax the laws on buying medicine from Canada.
I got a bill yesterday from the lab where I had routine blood work. I called my health insurance company. One of the tests I had is only approved when you're having a yearly physical. Approved? By whom? Why? My doctor thinks I need it. But my insurance company doesn't.
This might have made sense when medical care could be paid for out of pocket. But the prices are so high it just isn't possible any longer, which adds up to de facto rationing. WE NEED A PUBLIC OPTION.
I think we do need reform. I also think it needs to be studied much more closely and whatever bill is passed needs to be much shorter and read completely by the President (which evidently he has not read the current bill he is pushing for) and all the members of Congress and the public. Maybe he should stay in Washington and study what is being proposed instead of traveling across the country pushing for a bill he doesn't even know what it contains. Personally, I've seen enough of him to last for quite some time. I avoid the stations and networks and sponsors that carry him so much.
what Obama is doing in my opinion is awful when it comes to the economy, what he is doing will lead us to hyperinflation and taking this country down the same road Zimbabwe and Yugoslavia is and was at.
i think instead of government and federal reserve intervention on this economic stimulus plan we should cut government spending in half.
No american remembers the great depression on 1920 that lasted only two years and was greater then the 1929 depression thats because government did what it was supposed to by cutting spending in half by still producing new jobs. in my opinion obama should take advice from ron paul and stop with always going on tv and throwing out the first pitch to ball games and stop with frivolous spending and work more on fixing the economy instead of ruining it with government run health care plans before we have to spend 5 trillion dollars for a loaf of bread and eventually trading gold for corn
I may not have heard, but there are those of us who are self employed earning just enough to live on and not enough for luxuries such as health insurance.
I have not heard how this helps people like me, who earn to much for assistance, but not enough to get medical (let alone dental and vision) coverage.
It looks like the people who earn enough that they are not eligible for any kind of assistance, but not enough to afford more than living expenses are the ones who lose out again.
I have not seen a doctor but once in the past 7 years and unless I have a catastrophic illness, probably won't see one until my business brings in enough that I can afford health care or I shut it down and go on government assistance.
Why can't the government start doing something for those caught in the cracks?
I thought the stimulus was going to fix the economy, the bailouts were going to fix the economy, cap and trade was going to fix the economy.
Now health care is going to fix the economy?
Not a bad plan for someone who admitted (the president) last night that he hadn't even read the bill.
I don't know of anyone who does not believe that the health care industry needs a major overhaul, but to do it in so haphazard way with no real idea of the costs or the impact to American taxpayers and the economy is the true definition of insanity..
Someone stated that if this bill does not pass it will be Obama's Waterloo, well if it does pass it will not only be his Waterloo...but ours too.
What a crock of bull.....he doesn't even know what is in the bill yet....he just wants these non medical democratic representatives to cram it through. By the way his numbers of 45 million that are uninsured...20 million include illegal aliens.....won't that be an incentive for more illegals crossing our borders. I say no to Obama.....he needs to slow down and work on the economy...because his solutions of pork bills so far are a failure.... now these same morons think in less than a month can handle this....I don't think so....they are too stupid.
He is just going to cram his socialist agendas through....I am sick of him. I want these morons to read the bill and I want it posted on the internet so that Americans can read it too....and remember 48 hours is not enough time to read 1200 pages of crap.
I am not quite sure why passing and implementing a one trillion dollar-plus healthcare reform package is necessary for our nation's economic recovery as healthcare was NOT what brought the economy down.
Healthcare, as pointed out by President Obama, is 17.6% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Everything I examine regarding the GDP and what makes up the GDP combine healthcare and social assistance, so that statement is a little misleading – and incorrect.
Let us take a glimpse of the GDP.
The US Department of Labor pegged the US GPD just under $14.2 Trillion for 2008.
In reviewing the DOL spreadsheet the sector that makes up the largest percentage of GDP is real estate (including sales, rental, leasing) at $1.783 Trillion, just over 12.5%. Running a close second is, you guessed it, government at $1.741 Trillion, which would qualify for the definition of "big government," the kind Patrick Henry warned us about. Manufacturing comes in third place at $1.638 Trillion.
The figure for healthcare and social assistance is just over one trillion dollars, making it about 7% of GDP (not 17.6%), coming is just behind Professional and Technical Services and Finance and Insurance.
Perhaps President Obama's advisors lumped some of the insurance sector into their healthcare equation to come up with 17.6%, but even if you added ALL finance and insurance to healthcare and social assistance it still falls short of that 17.6% figure.
That 17.6% needs to be clarified as right now it appears to be extremely misleading to Main Street USA. And, as many people know, you can make statistics say anything you want if you work at it hard enough.
Hi, I want a few things in life before I die. Here are some. I want health care similar to the coverage CNN anchors get, or those in Congress and our Supreme Court Justices. I want this same type of health care coverage for my sons and their families. I will not tolerate that fact that I have to wait a few months for an appointment with a medical specialist or worry about how much my insurance company will cover for this service. I want the option of choosing generic medication, not being told I have no choice! I don't want to be told that I have fallen through the cracks of the insurance system that is in place today. I will not accept the lies by special interest groups that are being put on the airwaves just to save corporations from giving up their choke hold on Americans.
President Obama is a leader who is looking at the big picture of the healthcare implications on the economy and the American people if we don’t act now. While I think the discipline regarding the budget deficit is fiscally responsible, so too the health and well being of all Americans. A cost equation of private insurance coverage and the record bureaucratic profits is the real issue. Don’t be fooled is keeping the Insurance companies in business more important than giving healthcare to all Americans. Congress should be looking at the bottom line of private insurance, which from a cost prospective has become Phantom coverage through campaign contributions. And I understand there fight to sustain profits, however should their fight be at the expense of Americans who’s public research grant dollars paid to develop the medical procedures in which is the essence of their greed profits at our expense.
REform yes, This plan, NO.
If the private insurance companies go out of business because folks freely choose to migrate to a government plan, it is not the fault of President Obama. Health insurers have been overcharging and avoiding payment of claims for years and making huge profits on the sickness of the U. S. populace allowing their managers and shareholders to live like royalty. When President Obama proposes a plan which allows people to keep their private health insurance if they like it, the insurance companies cringe with fear because they realize how much hatred their greed has engendered. Nobody needs to commission a poll to determine how many people are not satisfied with their private health care plans.
John Roberts: Hi from Canada. Sorry this is so wordy, but there is so much misinformation about Canada's health plan, I wanted to clear up some of this error. As you know, Canada does not have HMO's or ambulance chasers. Settlement claims are capped. Doctors are employees of the government and their fees are negotiated thru their Medical Assoc. in each Province. At present many Cdn. would like a two tier system to allow private clinics to operate for those who have benefits from employers to cover the cost. Wait times are due to the fact that doctors have left Canada for the US as the sky is the limit for health care providers' fees. We have a shortage of doctors. Still, life threatening conditions are given priority. The Cdn woman currently on a commercial produced by an HMO lobby group who states she would have died if she had waited in Canada to receive care is an anomoly and all the facts were not forthcoming in this commercial. We have a teledirect line to nurses at any time, walk in clinics, great emergency centres at hospitals and people over 65 receive wonderful treatment. Our coverage also includes free medication for 65+ seniors. No plans A BorC,If memory serves me correctly, it was not so long ago you aired an segment on a lady in the US who died in the emergency department when even a security guard saw her several times in tremendous pain and should have realized she was in need of emergency care immediately? It happens every day in the US! All Americans, under our constitution ( and I am a dual citizen) deserves health care as primary to our constitution of Life in the pursuit of happiness. Something is better than nothing. U send millions of dollars to third world countries to assist in their health care. In the meantime you have 40 million + Americans who have no health care.
An indigent shows up at a hospital, gets treated, the bill is then sent to the County. The County requests funds from the state and eventually the tax payer pays it and has no accountability,
I support the President's healthcare reform plan; it is neccesary and it is not "pork." What I can't understand is a group of Americans most of whom are our elected officials who have great government healthcare or have benefitted in some way from the Government in some way, does not want it for all? These same Americans and other they've convinced that this is bad have more than enough to give a little back in order to help the less fortunate. Most of them are getting some form of Government kickback or have beniftted from some type Government program themselves but do not want the poor or those who can't afford healthcare to have it. These same Americans are always saying "the American People this..." and, "the American People that..." but do not want the under priveledged Americans to have the same. Most of all, these same Americans will say "it cost too much, who will pay, but they have no alternative to offer to make healthcare affordable to all, the employed, underemployed, and the unemployed. Just like most of these priveledged American, I have great healthcare as an active duty military manfor more than 32 years. But, many of the American People I know, cannot afford the high cost under the current system. I don't mind giving back eventhough I am not nearly as wealthy as those who will say, "The cost is too high" but have no alternative. What also pains me is being from SC and seeing the under insured of all race, ethnicity, and walks of life having to resort to some alternative to get the care they need or to let the problem go "unfixed" resulting in greater pain, and one of my elected Senators resorts to playing politics with their care. Let's stop talking it down and to get behind the idea to reform the current system and to develop a plan that is supportable and make it work where all Americans will have affordable healthcare. We OWE it them as Americans.
I think that President Obama is doing the right thing to reform health-care. I have been a supporter of his from the beginning and still remain confident that he is doing what should have been done by others presidents.We should ask the congress to step-up to the plate and help the american people instead of constantly setting up road blocks and cyring about bi-partinship and bring good ideas to the table with the hopes of solving health-care for all.Why should congress have better health-care than I do(which is none) and you work for me????Can the Republicans explain this to me ???
I do not agree with the health care reform. This is another example of trying to push through legislature before the American people know what rights we are losing. I thought he said he would televise health care debastes. Another lie. I believe in democracy not socialism.
What do I think of Obama's health care reform plan? I don't know, what does HE think of it? He seems to have no idea what it's about. I don't like the way he is trying to change our country, period. The American people have finally managed to lose control of the entire situation. And what's the big rush? One of his top advisors says that the deadlines mean things get done – that's fine, if your giving a deadline for something simple and linear, but health care reform is complex and affects every aspect of our lives. It and we deserve a more sober and thoughtful consideration than we already had with the TARP fiasco and Obama's stimulus plan. It's a joke, but it isn't at all funny.
No one is mentioning how much it will cost to put illeagal aliens on the health care plan.
If healthcare is a private matter between the doctor and patient, when a healthcare patient will not pay for the healthcare recived and the healthcare provider will not absorb the cost of healthcare rendere, why does the Obama Administration believe that us un-interested taxpayers should pay? Other than for criminal defense, Can you name any other industry that can have the government to force us taxpayers to pay when the customer will not?
I Have to Agree with James Carville that The President Exhibited Uncanny, Unmatched Command of the Facts In Front of all these People on National TV, Critics Also!
Who Else Could Do It But, "FDR or JFK!"
If the Republicans had Their "STUFF" Together They Would Find It Very Advantages to "SQUELCH" or Remove these JEALOUS OVERZEALOUS OBAMA DESPISERS From the Public Media!
They are Their WORST ENEMY!
Again, These SMUG CHARACTERS Like Hannity + GRUMBLERS Like Bill Bennett, that Just Don't Think That President Obama Should Look, Sound, Act + Come Off as Good as President Obama Does are Left With Nothing Except "To Hate!"
The Blindness of Rudy Giuliani + the Republican Party is So Obviously Classically STUPID + INSENSITIVE!
SURE, They Want to Work on These Issues of the Economy + Health Care While They All Have "THE LUXURY" of Money + Good Health Care in Hand, Right Now, In REAL-TIME Already!
This is the Very Reason, Like President Obama Said; He is Not Concerned about Himself, He is Concerned for the American People That Don't Have "ANY LUXURIES!"
President Obama Gets a A+, Without a Doubt. We are So Very Lucky!
Does Anyone Even Have a Comparable ALTERNATIVE?
Bill Bennett I Suppose?
I'm Speaking of Myself When I Say;
"Have You Ever Noticed That People Who are Chronic Complainers are Usually Clinically Jealous + Compulsive Over Eaters Trying Desperately to Feel Good About Themselves?
"DUH!"- Who Can Compete? Nobody That They Would Know!
I wonder why our nation always needs to re-invent the wheel. All other industrialized nations on par with America; have national health care.
It would seem logical to send a nonpartisan team to all the nations with national health care and ask what is working, what they would do different and then formulate a plan for America.
I think logic disappeared with the hula-hoop
Either the Republicans come to the table with some solutions or step aside and let the President and the Democrats get us ALL the Health Care we need and deserve as Americans.
Do Not make this a "Political Issue". It's a "Human Issue and American Issue".
Who will take care of all these 50 million patients?
I have sat and heard all the critic's negative comments on the President's Health Care Reform. Not once have I heard one of the nay sayers offer up their thoughts and ideas. Could it be that they do not have a plan ? One should not criticize unless they have a better idea ! Why don't the news commentators ask this same question ?
All I heard last night was talk about additional taxes to pay for healthcare. What about solving health issues that cause insurance premiums to be so high. Issues such as obesity which is a contributor to a large amount of health issues and healthcare costs. All Obama is going to do is take money from one group to pay for a program. Instead he should be trying to solve America's health issues. That would create permanent healthcare costs.
I remember when people said "It wasn't the "RIGHT TIME" for equality for African Americans". Now they say "It's Not the Right Time for Health Care Reform". When is the "Right Time" to fix a problem that has been broken for decades????
As President Obama said we need to do something now. I'm happy that he's giving dead liines. If you don't we all know, nothing will get done.
He never answered any of my questions.
I have $97.00 withheld from my social security each month to pay for my Medicare. Will this health care bill add another $300.00 a month to what is withheld?
I have a 50% rating from the VA, which means that I get my medical care from the VA. I also get my prescriptions filled by the VA at no cost to me outside of the 3 years I served.
Is this new bill the death of the VA and Medicare?
Long answers to short questions. Using more time than needed indicated a desire to eat up time and circumvent maximum amount of questions.
President Obama campaigned on transparency. Six months into office and he is blatantly lying to Americans. What he says does not even make sense. Reform starts with lowering prices, reducing beauracracy, tort reform...this program will only accomplish less care, particularly for the vunerable, and possibly bankrupt the country as well.
People who say Obama needs to focus on the economy, yet want him to slow down on Health Care Reform don't GET IT! Health Care Reform is an intricate part of the Economy Recovery Plan. It all ties in hand and hand.
Please give the American people a healthcare choice. A healthcare option I can afford and that will cover my pre-existing condition. The time has come for responsible healthcare option. It is deplorable that the healthcare industry is only interested in profit. I thought this was America and we are all equal. Unless you want health coverage.
President Obama did an excellent job last night. He explained to ME "Average Joe" that we have to DO SOMETHING. I'm experiencing rising health cost at work, and dwindling benefits, higher co-pays, higher deductibles. Double Digit increases every year. Let's Do Something!
I agree with the President.
Why would you have 'Rudy" on for his biased comments? Of course he would disagree!!! At least have someone who can intelligently disagree with thoughtful nonpartisan platitudes.
Your earlier panel was knowledgable but only on for a few min.!!! Why?? Why are you working so hard to discredit our President? At least give him a fair shot!!!
The President needs to be on TV MORE to counteract the biased media.
Our country needs this health care reform.
Profit on the misery of others? SICK!
He explained it. He answered the burning questions. I am for it! It makes sense. Partisan politics and the culture of fear mongering need to stop. Time to get 'er done!
I'm not a Republican but I can't support our President in his approach to health care. Regarding his speech last night, it seems like all the questions had been purposefully arranged to avoid any specific answers, just broad generalizations. Why not ask the President how he makes up his own figures and doesn't give any credence to his Office of Management and Budget. They say the cost of his health care program will be $1,000,000,000, 000.00. The President says the cost will be budget neutral, that's $0. Somebody ought to do a lot of explaining.
I have been watching and trying to understand about this health care reform.The Americans don't seem to understand that the president was left with a big deficit and has to try to clear up what was left for the next president.Here in Canada,we do have to wait months for MRI and certain surgeries but if we do go to a doctor we show our health cards and don't have to worry about paying for a visit.My sister lives in Atlanta and had to pay $480.00 after visiting the hospital for back problems.I don't know if she had coverage or got back a percentage of her money because she is a PSW.It was "free" for many years but for the last five years we have been taxed which is okay because it's done at tax time. I do believe the president should have some support from the American people and from what I can see he doesn't seem to have any outside of his office.Everything he tries to do is shot down,the administration before him left a lot to clean up and I am not saying this because I am of African descent.I would still have the same argument if McCain was elected,if Bush could have been re-elected,he would have won and the americans wouldn't be having this problem because all this would have been kept under wrap.The rich people have no problems paying but there are black and white people who are having problems paying for health care.
It seems to me that the President is Trying something,at least he seems interested in what happens with the American people.All republicians do is act vindictive and will do anything to make this president look bad.He's trying and thier are just being hard up with him just because.
Doctors practice defensive medicine but the cost of that falls to the hospital, insureance company and patient, if they have no insureance.
Health care needs to be socialized. It should not be profit driven by insurance companies. Medicare is goverenment health care. The states have Medicaid. Put those two together and cover everyone.
I support this president. He is the polar opposite of Bush. Fear controled the people during his regime.
Fear is confusing the people ..saying you will loose your doctor and it will destroy the country. This prevents any progress.
Politics costs the country more than Nationalized health care.
The mantra of not rushing into a new bill in order to get a better one is deceitful. The Republicans are working to slow down the bill so they will have a better chance to stop it cold. They are not interested in fixing the bill but in stopping Obama, as one GOP seneator has admitted. If Obama gets this bill passed, he will be unstoppable and that is exactly why the GOP is trying to first slow down the bill but ultimately destroy it. It's all politcs for the Republican opponents.
The president should stick to law and not medicine. Unless that child with a sore throat went to a surgeon for diagnosis, they're not having their tonsils removed for profit...stop using physicians as the problem or our great country will have a much bigger problem with doctor shortages and quality of care. I would not encourage my children to enter the field of medicine during these times.
The problem can be partly resolved by either increasing revenue and reducing costs.
Part of the existing problem is free health care for illegal aliens. Without penalizing the immigration problems of illegak aliens, if illegal aliens are getting free health care right now, then if they still want to get health care, the illegal aliens should become accountable to pay what they can afford by documenting their income. They will also be subject to pay income tax but that is only fair if the illegals are making money in this country. If they can afford to pay for insurance that is even better.
Another problem is using the emergency room as a private doctor.
When a person enters the health care environment and the first place they go is the ER, they are part of the problem. There is a need for a less costly modality like store front stripped down facility just to identify if there is a medical need.
There is a need for regional health planning councils. When they existed in the 70's a hospital could not get an MRI matching because there might have been in another facility.
Another cost factor in a hospital's cost base includes the bad debts of the previous year.
Also malpracice costs has to be controlled.
Obama is doing a great job and I support him fully.
He is right on track in dealing with ALL of our problems. As you all know, we who live in the USA are hurting on many fronts. Healthcare reform will remove one of those thorns from our side. I admire someone who will step up and try to fix the seemingly impossible even though some very powerful rich people oppose change.
Mr. President, please don't give up for all of our sakes.
I think that the President's speech was made to ease constituent concerns. However, his speech didn't fully outline a direct course of action. That being said, I also realize that a newly appointed President, Afro-American or otherwise, cannot realistically fix a corrupted system that has been in place for decades, overnight! Perhaps, as a start, Mr. Obama, should work on reforming the current system. By making these so called, providers accountable. Specifically,to people who are still able to pay into the system. Why should those consumer's be left at the mercy of these companies, to choose, who lives or dies! Based upon the healthcare provider's current system, I prefer not to pay into it anymore and take may chances!
Until the existing, broken system is corrected, I clearly don't see a way for those who still pay into the system to have a fair chance for better healthcare service. Nor a viable plan, for the millions of non-working Americans, that don't have health insurance, to obtain it!!
Until some one has had problems under the present system, I don't believe the average American realizes how broken it is. My wife's company collapsed in May 2008. Therefore she had no Cobra to depend on. As she has had cancer three times, we had to pay over $1400 per month for insurance. We are lucky we are in New York where state law mandates insurance comapnies must cover people like my wife. She has a new job now, and so we are somewhat back on course although we are having to fight for payments on some bills. We realize that we are one illness away from disaster. She gets cancer again, can't work. loses her job and her insurance, and we are faced with a huge monthly insurance bill, the biggest payment we will have on our budget. This will slowly but surely destroy our savings. This is not the way it should go. (PS I am retired and an on Meducare, a socialist medical system that works fine.
I sincerely believe the President is truly trying to "Get it right! I think the President's heart is truly in the right place. He is worried about the American people receiving effective healthcare, and being charged astronomical amounts, in order to receive it. His efforts to reform Health Care are commendable. However, I would hope, that he would allow more time for lawmakers to work on the bill, so that he can indeed,"Get it right!"
I am listening to the President now....what a crock of bull.....he doesn't even know what is in the bill yet....he just wants these non medical democratic representatives to cram it through. By the way his numbers of 45 million that are uninsured...20 million include illegal aliens.....won't that be an incentive for more illegals crossing our borders.
I say no to Obama.....he needs to slow down and work on the economy...because his solutions of pork bills so far are a failure.... now these same morons think in less than a month can handle this....I don't think so....they are too stupid. He is just going to cram his socialist agendas through....I am sick of him. I want these morons to read the bill and I want it posted on the internet so that Americans can read it too.
Obama said we had to control health care if we want to control the deficit. Here are 2 other ways: 1) Stop the Medicare/Medicade scams and 2) Stop Obama from his spend spree.
Great press conference. It's time for Americans to step up and support the President and his health care reform. No more waiting and delaying, no more Grumpy Obstructionist Politicos (GOP's)against everything Obama does. Let's get it done and the specific details must obviously be worked out as we go along.
What is Obama's record on health care before he became President? Why doesn't CNN explain how he has voted in the past on reform health legislation when he was in the Senate?
No reform at this speed. The following must be done first.
Maybe we should have a one to two year plan.
No new taxes to support Health care until we complete the following.
My Health Care Question/Statement
I agree with the Blue Dog Democrats
• Control Cost first, then add incentives, and finally as a last resort add taxes
o Automation
o Limitation of Duplications
o Reform the Medicare Billing System (I have first hand knowledge of this mess.
o Get a handle on Drug Costs
o Then Provide incentives to Doctors, Care Providers and Patients who meet certain goals that help reduce health care costs
• Also there will have to be something done about the legal and insurance cost to the Medical profession, their costs in these areas are out of control.
I have a grave concern that if we don't do the above items first and go directly to increased taxes that we could fall further into the current recession that we’re in.
The government says that if you currently have health care insurance you will be able to keep it. My concern is that employers with changed to a less expensive/less quality government funded plan.
This is a big issue, we must not rush.
I agree with the President.
We have to work on changing things that are not producing good results, and encourage the thiings that are proving to be both cost effective and bringing greater quality healthcare to Americans.