Health Care Reform Speech Tonight
I received this email from WhiteHouse.gov today:
Dear Friend,
As you read this, we are closer than ever to passing comprehensive health insurance reform that benefits American families and small businesses. Despite all the back and forth in the news right now, it is important to understand just how far we've come in this challenging process.
That's why I'm holding a press conference tonight at 8pm ET, and writing to let everyone know where we are, what's ahead, and why health insurance reform is so important.
Let me be clear: although Congress is still debating parts of the legislation we have achieved critical consensus on several key areas:
Now, I realize that the last few miles of any race are the hardest to run, but we can't stop now. There's no dispute about it: we cannot control our long-term fiscal health as a nation without health insurance reform. American families and small businesses understand that the health insurance status quo is taking away those things that they value most about health care. The stability and security that comes with knowing that you can get the treatment you need, when you need it. Without reform, we are consigning our children to a future of skyrocketing premiums and crushing deficits.
We have to seize this opportunity and pass health insurance reform this year. You can help by forwarding this email to your family and friends and letting them know what's at stake in this debate.
Thank you,
Barack Obama
P.S. Tune in to tonight's press conference on health insurance reform at 8pm ET on WhiteHouse.gov.
Dear Friend,As you read this, we are closer than ever to passing comprehensive health insurance reform that benefits American families and small businesses. Despite all the back and forth in the news right now, it is important to understand just how far we've come in this challenging process.
That's why I'm holding a press conference tonight at 8pm ET, and writing to let everyone know where we are, what's ahead, and why health insurance reform is so important.
Let me be clear: although Congress is still debating parts of the legislation we have achieved critical consensus on several key areas:
If you already have health insurance: reform will provide you with more security and stability. It will limit your own out of pocket costs and prevent your insurance company from dropping your coverage if you get too sick. You'll also have affordable insurance options if you lose or change your job. And it will cover preventive care like check-ups and mammograms that save lives and money.
If you don't have health insurance: you will finally have guaranteed access to quality, affordable health care, and you can choose the plan that best suits your family's needs. And no insurance company will be allowed to deny you coverage because of a pre-existing medical condition.
Now, I realize that the last few miles of any race are the hardest to run, but we can't stop now. There's no dispute about it: we cannot control our long-term fiscal health as a nation without health insurance reform. American families and small businesses understand that the health insurance status quo is taking away those things that they value most about health care. The stability and security that comes with knowing that you can get the treatment you need, when you need it. Without reform, we are consigning our children to a future of skyrocketing premiums and crushing deficits.
We have to seize this opportunity and pass health insurance reform this year. You can help by forwarding this email to your family and friends and letting them know what's at stake in this debate.
Thank you,
Barack Obama
P.S. Tune in to tonight's press conference on health insurance reform at 8pm ET on WhiteHouse.gov.
Tags: health-care, health-care-reform, obama, president obama, president-obama
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Johnny on -
I'm not 100% sure of what reform is right; but I'm 100% sure that some reform is needed. No matter where you stand on the issue, I'd recommend watching, so that at the very least you are informed. The coverage should be available at WhiteHouse.gov/LIVE if you don't have access to a TV; and I'm sure it will be on YouTube after the fact.
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Permalink Reply by Johnny on
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In related news...
Obama Fights Back Against Critics of Health Care Reform
By Opposing Views Editorial Staff - July 20, 2009
President Barack Obama is not taking criticism of his health care reform plans lying down. Today he fought back against Republicans who are trying to derail reform, saying he will push ahead. But at the same time, he pushed back his timetable for passage of the bill.
Speaking at the Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. after meeting with doctors, nurses and other health care workers, he said, "We can't afford the politics of delay and defeat when it comes to health care. Not this time. Not now. There are too many lives and livelihoods at stake."
He criticized those "fighting reform on behalf of powerful special interests" and others out to put off action for "another day, another year, another decade." And the President complained that "health insurance companies and their executives have reaped windfall profits from a broken system."
His vow to "pass reform by the end of this year" was something of a surprise. All along, President Obama was demanding that Congress vote on legislation before their August recess, with a comprehensive bill for him to sign in October. That likely will not happen.
Obama did not mention comments made today by Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele, who called the President's push for health care reform "socialism." Speaking at the National Press Club, Steele said, "Obama-(House Speaker Nancy) Pelosi want to start building a colossal, closed health care system where Washington decides. Republicans want and support an open health care system where patients and doctors make the decisions." Asked if Obama's health care plan represented socialism, Steele responded, "Yes. Next question."
Obama has repeatedly said he does not want a government-run health care system.
Watch more of President Obama's remarks:
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Permalink Reply by Nelson on -
here's the problem with health care reform as i see it: it isn't going far enough. researchers at Harvard released a study at the beginning of June that found that 62% of all bankruptcies in the US in 2007 were caused by health problems. you might say that health care reform that gave more people access to health insurance would help with this problem- more people have health insurance, fewer people would experience financial ruin due to health problems right? according to the study that's flat wrong! the study also found that of those people who filed bankruptcy due to health problems... 78% HAD HEALTH INSURANCE!
no doubt these reforms are an important step in the right direction but what the study seems to indicate is that in giving more people access to health insurance that will raise the percentage of bankruptcy filers who filed due to health problems and who have health insurance.
why in the world are the large majority of people filing bankruptcy due to health problems those that already have insurance!? the biggest problem isn't that too few people have insurance, it's that the insurance system flat out sucks! we need to make it so that the people who do have insurance have insurance that's worth a shit!
i get that things need to be done in baby steps but what the system really needs isn't reform but rather radical overhaul. unfortunately, there's no political will for that. the very companies that profit from the way things are right now are those companies that bankroll the politicians that have the power to change things.
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Permalink Reply by Johnny on
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i get that things need to be done in baby steps but what the system really needs isn't reform but rather radical overhaul. unfortunately, there's no political will for that. the very companies that profit from the way things are right now are those companies that bankroll the politicians that have the power to change things.
That sums up my line of thinking nicely.
Thanks for the link to the study Nelson.
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Permalink Reply by Johnny on
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but if we are not careful it will turn into the same problem as Canada's socialized healthcare, there is a reason they come to the US for health conditions when they could get it in Canada for free.
What reasons do they come to the US for?
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Permalink Reply by Nelson on
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if we are not careful it will turn into the same problem as Canada's socialized healthcare, there is a reason they come to the US for health conditions when they could get it in Canada for free.
that's largely a myth perpetuated by those who don't want the current health care system to change.
first of all Canada's system isn't properly termed "socialized" but rather "single-payer". secondly, Canadians love and fiercely defend their health care system.
in fact, Tommy Douglas, the man considered the father of the Canadian health care system, was voted the greatest Canadian in national voting.
The Greatest Canadian
Snopes.com on Canadian health care.
Mythbusting Canadian health care.
Americans Who've Used Canada's Health-Care System Respond to Curren...
Debunking Canadian health care myths.
Canadians favour their health care to U.S. system: poll.
i'm certainly not saying the Canadian system is perfect, must less that Canadians themselves believe that it is perfect, nor am i saying that it is better than the US system in every respect but please don't go around repeating the right-wing myths about how horrible the Canadian system is, how Canadians hate their system and are streaming across the border to see U.S. doctors. it just isn't true. do some Canadians come across the border to see U.S. doctors? i have no doubt that they do. but perhaps just as many U.S. citizens go across the border to receive care and to buy prescription drugs in Canada.
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Permalink Reply by Johnny on
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You cite one example. It is always possible to find and "exception to the rule."
The fact of the matter is that every county that provides a more socialized-style health care system, has better overall health care than the US.
No system is perfect, but our current system is one of the least perfect in the world. Too many in power gain from the current system though, so those most influential resist the change.
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Permalink Reply by Matthew on -
I went to school with lots of Canadians and they all waited for semester break to do any of their medical stuff. They would make fun of us for our screwed up health-care system and brag about their own. I've recently been in contact with a couple of them, and they were laughing at the horrible depiction of their system in the US media (especially by Republicans). In their (and their families'/friends') experience, the wait times don't exist, the slow return of results is false, and the quality was excellent.
So while I don't doubt your example, I think it may not be representative. Of course, my example may not be either. Just my two cents.
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Permalink Reply by Gaytor on -
My only question is who are these Canadians that come down here for Healthcare? I grew up in Blaine WA... city limits are the international border near Vancouver. I've never known any Canadian to come to the US for care. I've heard of it, but I think that it's an anomaly. I've known plenty of dual citizenship holders who have went to Canada for healthcare though.
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Permalink Reply by Sophie on -
I heard that this could ruin Obama's Prez if this does not pass that is why it has been a media blitz 24/7 for him. I think we need some sort of change to the health care system. When people are going bankrupt because insurance will not pay is a major problem for me.
To hear people say, "TO BAD!" just boils my blood. *Thinking of republicans mostly here.
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Permalink Reply by Johnny on
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Embedded copy of the speech seems to be making the page clock, so here's a link to the video on WhiteHouse.gov.
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Permalink Reply by Gaytor on
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If we move in the direction of universal healthcare, there is one hurdle not talked about. Drugs are developed almost entirely in the US because it's profitable. I'm personally happy with the drugs we have. There are always areas to improve and maybe technologies like stem cell therapies will make it a moot point. Fact is most of our drugs are taken due to living well beyond our sell by date or not caring for ourselves... eh overweight folk?
Here's another thought. If we do it, what makes you think that government won't get further into the policing our behaviors?
I'm all for it. We need it. It's immoral to have a company (publicly owned corps) legally obligated to make as much money as possible for the shareholder over the person whom they promise to protect in terms of heath and financially. They are obligated to try to get you off the balance sheet when you become a red mark. Just don't think of this as the Holy Grail. It's gonna be effed for quite some time. I like the idea of requiring Congress going on the plan as well.
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