Obama Urges Quick Action on Health Overhaul

[TomCADem]

Source: NY Times

WASHINGTON — President Obama said Saturday that Americans would see immediate benefits from a landmark overhaul of the nation’s health insurance system, and he urged Congress to reconcile swiftly differences on the legislation so it could be signed into law in the coming weeks.

* * *

In his weekly Saturday address, Mr. Obama highlighted elements of the plan that would take effect soon after enactment of the bill.

He said people with pre-existing illnesses would be able to buy affordable insurance, children with pre-existing conditions would no longer be denied coverage and small-business owners who could not afford to cover employees would receive tax credits to buy insurance.

“What every American should know is that once I sign health insurance reform into law, there are dozens of protections and benefits that will take effect this year,” Mr. Obama said.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/10/health/policy/10address.html

[dflprincess]

1. Insurance, insurance, insurance

not one word about actually being able to access care.

We should all send Obama copies of "Sicko" - maybe he'd figure it out if he watched that.

[truedelphi]

3. He had figured it out. In fact, he ran on

Single Payer Universal Health Care Reform - back when he wanted the office of Senator from Illinois.

But circa Dec 2007, someone (Rahm maybe) suggested that he start saying, "Well Single Payer Universal HC is the best and most logical solution to reform if you are starting from scratch. But since we must work within a system already in place, we must devise a system that is uniquely American."

[dflprincess]

4. And now he denies that he campaigned on a public option

I wonder whatever happened to "keeping them honest" and how he'll do that without a public option.

[susanna]

11. ...and therein lies the Epic Fail.

I rarely get angry. I stayed out of the Health Care debate in general on DU, but did write snail-mail to my representatives specifically.

But what's been done, in many ways, is horrific; forcing people to pay corporations that have done nothing but deny them help for the last 30-some years? Wow. Just wow. Yeah, that's SOMEKINDAREFORM!

The 3rd Way/Triangulation/DLC wins again. Yay us.

[sabrina 1]

6. Not only that, but as far as I know, the ban on pre-existing

conditions for adults, doesn't fully kick in until 2014. For children it kicks in right away but nor for adults. Why would the president say it will kick in right away? Did they change that clause?

[midnight]

15. The details are going to be zingers aren't they?

[nightrain]

2. as we know, he wants to have something to say about health insurance for State of Union speech

Just pitiful.

[t0dd]

10. That and

It's possible MA might have a Republican Senator soon. And that means no 60 vote majority in the Senate.

[nightrain]

13. good point. And the 60 hasn't really made much of a difference, huh?

At least *this* group of 60.

[pattmarty]

18. I can guarantee that ain't gonna happen. We won't have 60 votes...

..........anymore next year, but if Mass elects a Republican Senator ALL liberals better move to yemen or Saudi Arabia because that will signify the "end of history".:sarcasm:

[Big_Mike]

5. By all means, take quick action - KILL THE BILL n/t

n/t

[Hardrada]

7. Mors ad Legem!

[Jefferson23]

8. Yea, get it done fast before even more Americans realize what a piece of shit bill it is.

[shopgreen]

9. That has been the WH plan for a long time now.

[ima_sinnic]

16. that's my take on it, too (nt)

[zalinda]

12. At least he called it what it is.........not health care reform

“What every American should know is that once I sign health insurance reform into law, there are dozens of protections and benefits that will take effect this year,” Mr. Obama said.

zalinda

[winyanstaz]

14. This bill is a patch for a failed system....

This bill is a rip-off of the middle class and a sell-out for all American taxpayers.
Don't be telling us this is the "best" you can do.
This is the LEAST you can do.

[pokercat999]

17. Let's get this landmark legislation passed NOW, right NOW,

cause if it doesn't get passed his corporate masters might get mad and withhold the money necessary for the next election cycle.....oh dear.