Obama stands by belief a public option is viable

[cal04]

Source: Associated Press

President Barack Obama is standing by his position that a public option for health insurance coverage should be considered as part of legislation to overhaul the health care system.

In an interview Thursday with Philadelphia-based radio talk show host Michael Smerconish, Obama said that "the press got excited and some folks on the left got a little excited" when the administration last weekend made statements indicating that a publicly-run health insurance option was just one of several alternatives.

Obama said, "What we've said is that there are a number of components to health care." The president also said, "I see nothing wrong with having public option as one choice" and said that no one should be "obligated to go into a public plan."



http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090820/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_obama_health_care

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090820/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_obama_health_care_20

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The President will update supporters on the fight to pass real health insurance reform. He'll lay out our strategy and message going forward and answer questions from supporters like you.
Program Begins at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time
http://www.barackobama.com/forum/live.html

[MarjorieG]

1. The P.O. would be Medicare in many ways. Calling it that might ease the voters, and GOP not voting

anyway. Would opposition ads increase more than they are, with that red flag flying?

[guruoo]

2. Or, we could call it that, because that's exactly what it is. n/t

[cal04]

3. 'One way or another,' Obama guarantees reform

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/obama-guarantees-health-reform-on-conservative-radio-2009-08-20.html

President Barack Obama on Thursday guaranteed healthcare reform would be approved and went further than he has in the past in suggesting he’d support moving the bill through the Senate without GOP support.

In two separate appearances, Obama said healthcare reform would become law despite “hand-wringing” by liberals and the media.

He also expressed a willingness to invoke budget reconciliation rules in the Senate that would allow healthcare reform to be approved with 51 votes instead of the 60 necessary to overcome procedural hurdles. Using the rules probably would mean Republican support would not be needed in the Senate.

“I have no control over what the other side decides is their political strategy,” Obama said. “We are going to get this done one way or another.”

(snip)
A public insurance option prized by liberals may be impossible to move through the Senate with 60 votes, which has Democrats giving a closer look at using the controversial budgetary rules.

But in the House, it will be impossible to move a health bill without a public option, according to Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).

[ShamelessHussy]

4. How many votes do you need Obama for a public options?

start twisting some arms if you have to but I want to know who is standing in the way.

[and-justice-for-all]

5. Great! No Public Option =no reform...nt

[tj2001]

6. Not much of an upgrade from "non-essential"

viable as in "faint pulse"?

[fascisthunter]

7. the word "should" seems a bit weak

he better not be bullshitting us

[Iowa]

8. God he's worthless.

Obama: "I see nothing wrong with having public option as one choice..."

He is either the epitome of spinelessness, or he's trying to kill it with faint praise.

[ozone_man]

9. I noticed that.

Faint praise or just plain gutless.

[USA_1]

10. Health Care Reform & DNC Platform

http://www.workinglife.org/storage/users/4/4/images/111/2008%20democratic%20platform%20080808.pdf


As you can see it was priority one and was endorsed by all Democrats. Unlike the Republicans, when you give your word you keep it. Obama's successful election was predicated on this reform. If the Blue Dog Dems fail to get it done, then they have gone back on their word as if they were Republicans.

[Doctor_J]

11. Does this make 14 DIFFERENT statements on the matter since Sunday?

Dear Mr. President

Please, come out, firmly and clearly, in favor of Medicare for all. Do it every day, in public, for a week straight, and all 60,000,000 people who voted for you will get behind you. Please stop taking a different stance every day. Pick a target where you want to lead us, and we'll go there.