July 2009: Obama says any bill he signs MUST include public option

[CocoaBeachCoco]

Any plan I sign must include an insurance exchange: a one-stop shopping marketplace where you can compare the benefits, cost and track records of a variety of plans - including a public option to increase competition and keep insurance companies honest - and choose what's best for your family.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/ezra-klein/2009/07/obama_says_health-care_reform.html

BRAVO to you Mr. President, we are holding you to your word!

[Deja Q]

1. K&R

[d_b]

2. ancient history, brah

[DrDan]

3. how about a public option that is an option for all . . . .

[bigwillq]

4. Hello.

Welcome to DU! :hi:

[DesertFlower]

5. K&R

[Taverner]

6. Stick to this - please Mister President - stick to this

[Donnachaidh]

7. four years down the road.

While the insurance companies rake in more profits because everyone will be REQUIRED to purchase insurance from them during that 4 year period.

[Coyote_Bandit]

8. And

Obama was for single payer before he was against single payer.....

Maybe he's a flip flopper. Maybe it's just a matter of political expediency. Or perhaps it reflects an accomodation to those corporations who finance campaigns. In the end it doesn't matter what he says. My dog has more credibility. And when Obama seeks re-election I will judge him based on whenther he did in fact accomplish anything that serves to protect or advance my interests. Meaningful healthcare reform is my priority and my line in the sand. I'd be delighted to be pleasantly surprised. But I have rather low expectations.

[truedelphi]

9. But since there has been no clear definition of the term

"Public Option" what the hell does it matter?

The Obama Adminsitration was very careful about making sure that the notion of Universal SIngle Payer Health Care was discarded. Why? Because that was the best policy that we could have, and it wouldn't have enabled the insurance industry with rewards.

When campaigning for the Presidency, even Obama said USPHC is the best policy - then he goes and ends his staements on the matter by trailing off and saying "But we already have a system in place, so we have to work within that system."

If we had a real media in this nation, that statemnet would have been broadcast again and again as lunacy. "We have a real solution, but we must back away from the real solution, because something else exists." Is that what somebody esays when they want MEANINGFUL REFORM?

Don't forget this about Obama - when he campaigned for the Presidency, he would go out on stage and say soemthing, and his own staff would refute it! Remember when he said that he would re-write NAFTA, and within 24 hours, his staff ended up saying, "Oh Canadian Ministers, do not get upset, he is just campaigning - he doesn't mean it."