American Morning
Obama's town hall – tackling health care reform
Outside the president's health care town hall in New Hampshire, a little girl held up a poster that said: "Obama lies, Grandma dies." When I asked the child's mother (who didn't want to give her name) what the sign meant, she struggled to find an answer.
- Watch: Obama's health care forum
But the sign was a reference to the false claim from some reform opponents – that Democratic proposals would set up a bureaucratic "death panel" that would determine when patients die. The president batted down the claim at his town hall – a more telling sign of just how tough the health care sell has become.
Are the health care town halls helping? How is the president handling the debate? What do you think?
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Bonnie, I feel for ya but the Constitution explicitly bars what you want. You deserve it like my wife who is confined to a wheelchair. My big problem is not people like you but those who either do not belong here but will be catered to by health-care or those who are too lazy to work and just want a handout. Veterans, the elderly and the disabled ,we have an obligation to help not illegals or lazy bums.
Two years ago, my husband died of multiple sclerosis after a 24 year battle. During that time, I struggled to pay hospital bills and get him the medicines that he needed. I met with State Representatives, wrote letters, etc., I even went to our local welfare office to try and get on a spend down program so he could get what he needed. All of this was to no avail. We did not qualify because I worked, owned a house, etc. Since that time, my husband died. Last year, I lost my home, lost my job of 24 years and took a job making $3.00 less on the hour. I am 63 years old and struggling. The bottom line is when I started my new job, I had very good insurance. Now, working for the same company, I have to pay the first $3,000 before the insurance will pay. Since I work for a small company, the next step will probably be no insurance. If you were me, how would you vote for a health plan that would insure you have insurance? I don't even have to ask myself this question.
Pres. Obama has and will make some mistakes, but he is trying to give everyone the same opportunities as the next person. I love the country I live in...I love being able to express my opinions on things that affect me and my family. However, I am ashamed that people show so much hate in the country I love. All of the world is watching us. It is okay to express your opinions, but when people openly express their desire to do harm to our President, that is the same as threatening someone's life and should be dealt with in the judicial system. Screaming hate messages only creates extremely dangerous and insane situations. Use your intelligence to get your message across. Present your suggestions and opinions in a constructive manner. Who knows, you may have a better idea. For me, I just want to be able to afford to go to the doctor when I am sick and expect to get the medicines and treatments that I need. I know for a fact, that this is not the way it is now. Believe me, you don't know, until you have been there.
Your comment is awaiting "to see if you agree with CNN and the spending of your future ' moderation.
If you turn on FOX you will hear nothing of death panels… Only CNN keeps this rumor alive for some unknown reason.. Maybe they think there doing the work of the people or good reporting but NO one on FOX the number one rated news station is feeding in to this so called death panel..
Unemployment is high, its just alot of people can not apply yet. Thats the problem. Some can not apply until October now. You have no clue the REAL number!!! The only jobs created is govt jobs, but what happenned to the private sector jobs? They come....and go in a week or two. Come on People! Wake up!!! The numbers are not correct here, and how many times this year alone do you have to hear how the numbers are cooked? Hello?? You awake? It passed cooking up a while ago. It should now be quite burnt.
The AARP denied this administration by saying they did not support his plan at all. Using people who do not see eye to eye is NOT the right way to go!
Unemployment is high, its just alot of people can not apply yet. Thats the problem. Some can not apply until October now. You have no clue the REAL number!!! The only jobs created is govt jobs, but what happenned to the private sector jobs? They come....and go in a week or two. Come on People! Wake up!!! The numbers are not correct here, and how many times this year alone do you have to hear how the numbers are cooked? Hello?? You awake? It passed cooking up a while ago. It should now be quite burnt.
President Obama should do a lot more town hall meetings on health care reform.
But I wish he would take time to actually read the House Bill because Nancy Pelosi seems confused on many levels and I think he could do better.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU KIDS ?!!
What a circus! Do you know what you want?
Did the magician really make the coin that disappeared really fall out of your nose? Or were you watching so closely you missed what actually happened to it.
The Republicans have you so bamboozled you're looking off in six different directions and you'll miss the point of this whole Health Insurance enigma.
Fortunately for you they made a miscalculation when they pointed to Canada to compare health systems against. They overlooked the fact it has been run successfully for all my adult working life. Yeah, I'm a Canadian and 74 years old.
The proposition our National Health Insurance system is 'socialist' is really misleading. Is your successful military 'socialist' or National? Are your highway systems 'socialist' or National? How's your arithmatic?
Can you explain to me how a nation with three million FEWER citizens than your single state of California, can afford to have what your nation can't? And don't forget, our land mass is larger than yours. And yet well equiped medical facilities, everywhere!!
I read early in rthis blog Thomas and his wife give a combined total of $750 each month for their inadequate health insurance. I went and dug out a tax form to see what I paid for the year to my OHIP. The chart indicated for less than $20,000 income it's zero dollars. A sliding scale upward to $250,000 would eventually be $900 (a year). Anyone above $250,000 pays a flat $900 per year. Talk about stimulating the economy!!
Get the insurance industry OUT OF THE EQUATION. Let the money flow into the tax base where it belongs. When I was young I hardly noticed the health tax I paid. I know a few friends who benefited from it though. But, I really benefited from it three years ago when I had my double by-pass. I questioned my surgeon as to how many of these operations he does each year. No pressure, no rush. About 200. I felt confident his experience assured me of the successful outcome I had.
I became interested in your problem after I Googled 'sicko' and saw the movie available at the bottom of the first page that popped up. Doubtful about a decision? What would Jesus do? Luke 10; 30 – 37. (for you Republicans)
Healthcare
To: CNN
Thank you for adding some of the public concerns and comments to your program on healthcare. All of us are not able to attend a town hall meeting to hear the debate and depend on news reports for information. Seeing only the protest and outrage is interesting but hearing about the reasons for the protest and views of the people who are making public policy is informative.
The congressmen and woman who are holding the town hall meetings with the protest and outrage that we see on television are generally doing a poor job of running the meeting. An orderly process should be established and everyone should be allowed to express their concerns and make their comments. Protest and outrage occurs when people are excluded from the meeting process and they feel like their concerns are not being considered.
The President and congressmen are contributing to the reasons for protest and outrage. The President has a way of speaking in generalities designed to have his audience make their desired interpretation. Television interviews of congressmen show that they disagree on the facts and meaning of the legislation proposed by the House of Representatives. Now the rubber must meet the road. It is time for the politicians to have the same understanding of and express clearly what they are proposing.
The House of Representatives have passed a legislative bill. It defines the intent of that legislative body. When questioned about it, congressmen respond that it is only an outline and that there is no final bill to vote on. This is a dishonest and stupid response. The House bill is a major step in the legislative process and if it is not critically reviewed, it may continue on to become law. I don’t want a bill that has been passed by both houses of congress and passed out of committee to be the first review and opportunity to comment by the public. I remember the recent action on the stimulus package when some senators and congressmen passed a bill in three days without public comment or even their own understanding.
The public must see members of congress and the news media agree on the facts of the bill. Then, they can take a position on passing it or not. Congress and the President should not pass a bill when the public has not voiced their views or heard their views expressed by members of congress who will be deciding on healthcare legislation.
I have grown sons, recent college graduates, who have only been able to get part time/temporary jobs so far. They do not have health care coverage offered them at work. They both had knee surgery in high school (sports injuries), and keep getting turned down for health care coverage because of this pre-existing condition. Please pass a law that says they can have health care!
Boy can he sell the stinkiest fish on the docks and make it sound like it is a prize catch – he is slick, but he never really addressed the facts. What about this Mr. Obama?:
• Page 30, line 23 — There will be a government committee that decides what treatments you get.
• Page 50, line 152 — Health care will be provided to all non US citizens, illegal or otherwise.
• Page 59, lines 21-24 — Government will have direct access to bank accounts for electronic funds transfer.
• Page 110, lines 13-18 — An excise tax (will be levied) on all goods from companies not offering government health care.
• Page 239, lines 14-24 — Government will reduce physician services for Medicaid.
• Page 304, lines 17-19 — Government does not have to protect your private information.
• Page 427, lines 15-24 — Government mandates programs for orders for end of life.
• Page 429, lines 10-12 — "Advance care consultation" may include an order for end of life plans.
• Page 438, Section 1236 — The government will develop a patient decision making aid program that you and your Doctor will use.
• Page 660-671 — "Doctors in Residency" – The government will tell you where your residency will be.
Does anyone really think the Government will know whats best for you when you are fighting a disease for your life? Maybe when you get cancer you will realize you want to try everything to save yourself, not just what the government thinks is appropriate.