Bill Clinton: Obama Will Succeed Where I Failed On Health Care

[babylonsister]

Sam Stein

Bill Clinton: Obama Will Succeed Where I Failed On Health Care
First Posted: 07- 8-09 07:32 PM | Updated: 07- 8-09 07:53 PM


President Bill Clinton, who during his administration spearheaded the last effort to overhaul the health care system, predicted on Wednesday that President Barack Obama will ultimately succeed where he failed.

In a speech before the progressive youth group, Campus Progress, the 42 President said that he suspects Obama will "get a health care reform bill" because of three distinct reasons.

"The filibuster won't be an option," Clinton said, "the small business community won't be as against any plan we got now, and frankly the economy is in such a mess that you've got a little more budget flexibility."

The former president also made it known that he fully backs a government-run option for health insurance coverage as a means of lowering costs and adding competition within the private sector.

"I'm for the public option because I think there needs to be some competition here," said Clinton. "Yes, I favor a public health option, Yes, I favor the efforts the administration has made to get the drug companies, the hospitals, and everybody else, to chip in and give up some of their projected future increases based on ramped inflation. And yes, I favor organizing a society so that old people stay healthier and young people don't get diabetes. Otherwise we will pass this health care plan and five years from now we will be back to the drawing board."

The remarks come at a time when the debate over health care, and a public option in particular, is moving towards a heated pitch. Clinton, perhaps more than any other pol, can understand the tenuousness of the current debate. Despite having widespread public support for a health care overhaul, his process fell apart amidst disunity within the Democratic Party and distrust of his White House's approach.

more...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/08/bill-clinton-obama-will-s_n_228287.html

[PretzelWarrior]

1. Rock ON, Prez!! Bill Clinton is awesome for saying this.

BTW. Let me know the next time Bush ever admits he failed at anything.

[Cha]

3. Yes! This is brilliant that BC's out there

saying this..and the bushes don't admit mistakes, they blame them on others.

[babylonsister]

5. I agree. He also pushed the public plan, which is a plus. nt

[Brigid]

2. God, I hope Clinton is right.

Ted Kennedy deserves to see this issue, which he has been trumpeting for decades, come to a successful conclusion while he is still here.

[babylonsister]

4. Very nice of you to think of Sen. Kennedy, and I agree. nt

[Brigid]

6. I was kind of hoping . . .

that Hillary would take up the mantle for him on that after she dropped out of the presidential race.

[mucifer]

7. That must have been hard for him to say that. Kudos to Bill Clinton!