Obama's vow of public debate on health care fading?

[Adir Pykhtin]

McClatchy
July 9, 2009

WASHINGTON — Campaigning for president, Barack Obama said repeatedly that any overhaul of the health care system should be negotiated publicly and televised for all to see. Throughout this year's negotiations, however, the big deals have been struck in secret.

With tax increases and limits on what's covered among the possible ways of offsetting perhaps $1 trillion over a decade in expenses, neither the administration nor Congress is willing to give up its right to do the most sensitive talking in private, as it's always been done.

"It's unrealistic to think every aspect of the negotiations is going to be public," said Senate Assistant Majority Leader Richard Durbin, D-Ill.

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, traveling with Obama in L'Aquila, Italy, said Thursday that "this president has demonstrated more transparency than any president." He said that Obama had participated in multiple town-hall meetings with doctors, nurses and providers to discuss revamping health care.

More: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/251/story/71584.html

[billyoc]

1. lol @public debate.

:rofl:

[bertman]

2. Just exactly what "right" does "The Public" have to know what goes on in secret talks by

our duly elected and paid representatives.

The NERVE of the taxpayers to expect transparency in this process!

Recommend.

[slipslidingaway]

3. Thanks, welcome to DU :) ....

I wondered why this did not make it to the GP with my 5th R, only to see that so many had unrecommended the thread.

:(

[bvar22]

4. K&R

Now @ +6

[quidam56]

5. Where's the guy we voted for ?

As a former health care giver, I am shocked to see what is called quality health care now in Tennessee and Virginia. http://www.wisecountyissues.com/?p=62 Clearly profit care is more important than patient care.

[Demeter]

6. Well, The Backing and Filling and Catering to Special Interests Is Transparent

for sure.