let the games begin...Obama Making Push on Health as G.O.P. Steps Up Criticism

[spanone]

WASHINGTON — With President Obama stepping up his focus on health care this week, the political battle over the plan working its way through Congress has entered a new register. With Republicans pushing back in more vigorous language, the president sharpened his own tone on Monday..

In a visit to the Children’s National Medical Center here, Mr. Obama held a round-table discussion Monday with a half-dozen doctors and nurses. But his message was directed at Congress and a growing chorus of critics.

“We’ve talked this problem to death — year after year,” Mr. Obama said. “Unless we act and act now, nothing will change. The need for reform is urgent and indisputable.”

The president said that if things remained “status quo,” the nation’s health care system would only get worse and coverage costs would continue to soar. He said the fight over health care had devolved into a partisan battle for many Republicans.

“So let’s fight our way through the politics of the moment,” Mr. Obama said. “Let’s pass reform by the end of this year.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/21/health/policy/21health.html?_r=1&hp=&pagewanted=print

[abumbyanyothername]

1. What happened to August

“Let’s pass reform by the end of this year.”

What happened to August?

[pinto]

3. I'm thinking he wants a House bill and a Senate bill done by recess.

Then after recess, one bill incorporating both, either in the usual conference process or through a budget reconciliation procedure, which only requires 51 votes in the Senate to pass.

The well known COBRA law of 1986 (allowance for portability of an employer group plan coverage, by an individual) was done that way. COBRA = Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act.

[foginthemorn]

2. Heath Care Promises: Can You Really Keep Your Dr.?...........I keep

hearing President Obama promise this---but I see no discussion of it anywhere. Has anyone?


But he has gotten into some hot water with some of his promises that have gone by the wayside. I think the last paragraph is worth repeating.




http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/07/20/business/econwatch/entry5175114.shtml?tag=blogs



July 20, 2009 2:58 PM
Heath Care Promises: Can You Really Keep Your Dr.?



Posted by Jill Schlesinger
(AP )
In President Obama's weekly radio address, he said: "Under our proposal, if you like your doctor, you keep your doctor. If you like your current insurance, you keep that insurance. Period, end of story."

Really? What happens if your employer decides to change health plans? Isn't this akin to a company switching 401 (k) providers? There are countless instances of firms dumping one retirement plan sponsor for another, often less attractive plan. Sure, you, the retirement plan participant could opt not to use the company's plan, but the more likely scenario is that you would continue contributing to a plan that is not quite as good. My guess is that this is exactly what would happen in health care.

I'm not commenting about whether this is good or bad, rather that Americans deserve to know what the real cost of reforming health care will be–and make no mistake, there will be costs. How could it be otherwise? In order to overhaul the current messy and inefficient system, lots of people who are wealthy or currently have coverage, are going to pay a price. The price may be increased taxes, extra expenses for small business owners (which may affect their employees) or changes in care.

Instead of talking in absolutes, we deserve to hear the truth, something that rarely occurs in politics. I think that it's some version of this: the current system is obviously broken and we need to create a way to provide access to affordable health care for all Americans, but the price of doing so will be real and significant.

[spanone]

4. the President said 'if you like your doctor, you keep your doctor' believe him or not

[foginthemorn]

6. Have you seen any credible discussion of this promise?

[spanone]

7. here's an article on it

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2009/07/president-obama-continues-questionable-you-can-keep-your-health-care-promise.html

[foginthemorn]

8. thanks for your help.

[foginthemorn]

9. This link is more of what I was looking for (comes of a source other than the WH)....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8538863

[pinto]

5. kick

:kick: