President Obama Puts Congress ‘On Notice’ Regarding Health Care Reform: ‘We Are Going to Get This Done’
EmailJake Tapper and Sunlen Miller report:
Before formally announcing his nomination for Surgeon General, President Obama — back from his 7-day international trip — addressed what he called “chatter” that health care reform had hit some stumbling blocks up on Capitol Hill.
“I just want to put everybody on notice, because there was a lot of chatter during the week that I was gone: We are going to get this done,” the president said. “Inaction is not an option. And for those naysayers and cynics who think that this is not going to happen, don't bet against us.”
Facing mounting concern – even within his own party – that his goal for a health care reform bill to hit his desk before the August recess seems increasingly impossible, the president said that he understands that people may be nervous about making big changes.
“You know, the muscles in this town to bring about big changes are a little atrophied,” he said, “but we're whipping folks back into shape. We are going to get this done.”
Obama argued twice that his plan will not add to the deficit over the next decade, though Congressional Budget Office estimates of different congressional proposals have put the various price tags at close to a trillion dollars or more.
And he repeated the promise that those making $250,000 a year or less would not pay more in taxes.
With the president’s return to the United States this week, he’ll shift focus, attempting to keep a closer watch on the debate on the Hill over health care.
The president will today meet behind closed doors with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charlie Rangel, D-NY.
The president chalked up the mounting criticism as “small thinking” and “the same Washington thinking that has ignored big challenges and put of tough decisions for decades.” He said that the debates and disagreements will continue but repeated many times that health care reform must be accomplished.
“The status quo on health care is no longer an option for the United States of America,” the president said. “This is no longer a problem we can wait to fix. This is about who we are as a country. Health care reform is about every family's health, but it's also about the health of the economy.”
– Jake Tapper and Sunlen miller
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“We are going to get this done.” Ummm sounds a bit “dictorial” to me…
Posted by: Parallex View | July 13, 2009, 1:16 pm 1:16 pm
And he repeated the promise that those making $250,000 a year or less would not pay more in taxes.
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If people making less than $250,000 will benefit most from health care reform, why should they not pay more in taxes for it?
Posted by: MayBee | July 13, 2009, 1:20 pm 1:20 pm
If ins. cost is the issue, why not provide more regulation on ins. companies? that would keep the gov’t out of the ins. business…other than Medicare/Medicaid…which, in theory, should break even…but instead it’s in a mountain of debt. Yeah, let the gov’t run our healthcare.
Posted by: stdntDrvr | July 13, 2009, 1:41 pm 1:41 pm
Our healthcare is in horrible shape….we had to switch to a HMO at work…went up 40%. This President is trying to do something…finally someone with common sense who wants to straighten this out. In eight years Bush did nothing but watch healthcare go up. We are going to get this done sounds like he wants Congress to get up and work, something they haven’t been doing for a long time. He will not sit idly by like Bush. And the reason people making less than $250,000 will benefit is because it is so expensive now they can’t afford it! I’m glad we finally have someone who is doing something instead of just empty campaign speeches.
Posted by: Barb | July 13, 2009, 1:41 pm 1:41 pm
Its a lie that no one making less than $250K would NOT pay more taxes. The tax on a pound of tobacco went from $1 per pound to over $24. And Cap and Trade that passed the House will raise everyones’ taxes.
Posted by: deanbob | July 13, 2009, 1:43 pm 1:43 pm
Sometimes doing SOMETHING is worse than doing NOTHING………..NO TO SOCIALIZED MEDICINE
Posted by: Parallex View | July 13, 2009, 1:45 pm 1:45 pm
After committing to attend the US Conference of Mayors, no one from the WhiteHouse showed up. Why? Because International Association of Firefighters (IAFF/AFL-CIO) union President Harold Schaitberger told them not to.
Posted by: deanbob | July 13, 2009, 1:47 pm 1:47 pm
And the reason people making less than $250,000 will benefit is because it is so expensive now they can’t afford it!
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I dispute the idea that people making under $250,000 can’t afford health insurance, but let’s put that aside.
Do you think people who go on the public plan (who do not currently have insurance) should pay for it?
Posted by: MayBee | July 13, 2009, 1:48 pm 1:48 pm
79% of the working people are happy with their healthcare. Why does the entire healthcare system need to be redone when we having trouble paying our existing debt.
Posted by: deanbob | July 13, 2009, 1:50 pm 1:50 pm
How many who don’t have health care coverage choose not to? How many are illegal immigrants?
Posted by: deanbob | July 13, 2009, 1:52 pm 1:52 pm
Contact your representatives and express your opinion. If your representatives do not vote according to your wishes, reconsider voting for them in the next election.
Many representatives rely on the fact that you will not follow through when election time comes. Follow through.
In fact, track your representatives voting record on all matters and vote accordingly.
Posted by: Traffic Cop Timmy | July 13, 2009, 1:52 pm 1:52 pm
Of course it’s a lie, no one under $250,00 will pay taxes. Small businesses are going to be hit hard; and therefore, will simply pass increased costs that include increase taxes on to consumer. The person may not pay an increased tax directly but will surely pay indirectly…
Posted by: Parallex View | July 13, 2009, 1:52 pm 1:52 pm
If people would not live beyond their means, they can afford health care. I can afford to carry 4 people on my ins. making WAYYY less than 250K with a wife that makes a little more than minimum wage. we live comfortably and can afford to do stuff…we just choose to forego a huge mortgage, multiple car payments and credit card debt. It can be done, people are just too lazy to do anything for themselves anymore.
Posted by: stdntDrvr | July 13, 2009, 1:53 pm 1:53 pm
Kick butt President!! I am so sick of this country being afraid of every thing and any thing. You know what, our health care has been crappy and unsustainable for 15 years and what’s been done to fix it. ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!! Now people want to get an attitude because some one comes along and actually wants to make a difference. You know some thing, if you didn’t want socialism, or any of the other ‘isms” people throw out there to scare folks with, than some one should have gotten off of their butts 10 years ago and did some thing.
Posted by: alice | July 13, 2009, 1:54 pm 1:54 pm
We do not have health care crisis.
Posted by: anonymous | July 13, 2009, 1:56 pm 1:56 pm
Yes the people who do not have health ins. should be made to pay something towards it…if everyone has ins. it will be better in the long run…who do you think pays for those w/o it? And for shame the person who said people are lazy….wait until your job goes south or they cut your pay….yes people live beyond their means but what about those who don’t, and they lose their jobs or their pay is cut…and all of a sudden there is a huge medical emergency….Glad you have no worries. And the president wants to stop the needless tests..right now doctors get paid for how many patient they see and how many tests they order…this has to be stopped. and the drug companies have to be looked into. If you dont’ think this is one of the main reasons our economy is in the dumps I have a bridge to sell you.
Posted by: Barb | July 13, 2009, 1:57 pm 1:57 pm
Alice, I couldn’t have said it better myself! I love these people saying there are no problems…I’d love to live in their world. And so self-rightgeous. No compassion for the people who are hard up thru no fault of their own….This country is in a huge mess and they put rose colored glasses on. Amazing!
Posted by: Barb | July 13, 2009, 2:00 pm 2:00 pm
“We are going to get this done.” Ummm sounds a bit “dictorial” to me…
You mean like “we’re sending our best and bravest to Iraq?
My employer changed providers 2 times in 5 years. My doctor of 12 years is not in the new network, causing me to pay extra. the REALITY of who is between me and my doctor.
get it done Obama
Posted by: reality | July 13, 2009, 2:05 pm 2:05 pm
and yes people making $150,000 or $250,000 can afford healthcare but what about someone making $50,000 or less? Remember taxes are taken out and the tax home pay is less…by the time you pay your mortgage, taxes, car ins., food, dental, there is not too much left and God help you if you have children…and it depends on where you live…Thank you Mr. President for waking people up and trying to get this country back on its feet.
Posted by: Barb | July 13, 2009, 2:09 pm 2:09 pm
If you dont’ think this is one of the main reasons our economy is in the dumps I have a bridge to sell you.
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Is this the reason the world economy is in the dumps?
Posted by: MayBee | July 13, 2009, 2:09 pm 2:09 pm
I’m for the public plan, since it will deny baby boomers treatment, thus thinning their ranks at an accelerated pace.
Posted by: RMOccidental | July 13, 2009, 2:10 pm 2:10 pm
Our housing industry is more “broken” than our medical industry, so does this mean that we can look forward to government takeover of all private property in the next year or so?
I wouldn’t be shocked by an attempt at such.
Posted by: paul | July 13, 2009, 2:21 pm 2:21 pm
Good to hear you’re still strong, Mr. President. As one who has been volunteering getting the message out on healthcare reform along with some very neat people, it is good to hear the president continue to work this issue. Single payer is the way to go if we were planning and developing a health care plan from scratch, but having those satisfied with their plans continue using them while introducing a public option is next best thing. We’re working on the cost cutting areas now, we will definitely start seeing significant savings in our national budget. My only wish is to dump insurance companies having worked with them for many years; trust me when I say they do not have your health and welfare in mind, and they probably shouldn’t, they are a business in business to make money only.
Posted by: Principia | July 13, 2009, 2:22 pm 2:22 pm
I’ve never had a problem with my HMO. My Primary Care doctor is great, my prescriptions are affordable and my monthly premium is more than affordable. I’m sorry you are having problems but please keep your hands off my healthcare.
Of course, some health issues cannot be avoided but overall I would guess that people are not proactive in their health or their healthcare. Drinking, smoking, obesity are all major issues affecting many people who sit there and wonder why they are sick. You have to take care of your body folks or you will suffere the consequences.
Posted by: Traffic Cop Timmy | July 13, 2009, 2:23 pm 2:23 pm
Barb,
I make less than 50K with 3 kids (one is on my ex-wife’s ins). I will stand by my statement that people are too lazy and over-extend themselves. It’s not anyone’s responsibility to hold someone’s hand to make sure they are providing insurance for their family. Yeah, lose your job…some form of insurance should be provided for a set amount of time…but for those who work that would rather go on vacation instead of paying for insurance? I have no sympathy for them. People need to get their priorities straight before they go to someone else asking for a hand-out.
On another note, who is going to pay for this? Do you even know where this money is going to come from? Why stop at healthcare? Let’s see what else we can get from the gov’t.
Posted by: stdntDrvr | July 13, 2009, 2:24 pm 2:24 pm
Hey Jake,
Will at least one of you guys PLEASE point out to the president that HE has already broken that 250K promise. All he has to do is go find anyone like himself(i.e. A SMOKER!). He has already rasied taxes on smokers of ALL income brackets!
Posted by: Mike_C | July 13, 2009, 2:27 pm 2:27 pm
I have never seen a president try so hard to talk down to Congress and the American people.
Obama is fueling this hate-filled class war to further his own agenda. He then stands there like he is the moral authority on everything.
I voted for him, and now severely regret it. I wanted a man FOR the American people, not with CONTEMPT FOR the American people.
He can try and buy votes by spending us into debt repeatedly – or he can sit down and try to understand us. He does the former, and pretends to do the latter.
Posted by: Jon F | July 13, 2009, 2:33 pm 2:33 pm
“Inaction is not an option. And for those naysayers and cynics who think that this is not going to happen, don’t bet against us.”
I’ll bet against ya, Barry.
I’m optimistic on this one – I don’t think the “public option” is going to happen as Dems in Congress are realizing that their constituents do not want the federal government – with its lousy track record to effectively and efficiently manage much of anything* – to manage healthcare for the masses. Politicians – regardless of party – vote in their self-interest. (self-preservation). Public support for government mandated reform of the variety Obama and the Left favor is declining as the public becomes more and more informed.
I like my healthcare…and am not particularly interested in paying for yours…
* see Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, Amtrak (never profitable), U.S. Postal Service ($6 billion deficit in 2009?), “Stimulus Package”, etc.
Posted by: tjp612 | July 13, 2009, 2:34 pm 2:34 pm
“We’re working on the cost cutting areas now, we will definitely start seeing significant savings in our national budget.”
Care to elaborate? How is it that we will “save” money by spending trillions of dollars?
BTW – Healthcare is not a “right” it is a responsibility.
Posted by: tjp612 | July 13, 2009, 2:37 pm 2:37 pm
Message to the Dictator, Obama!
Oh No You’re Not!
Unless you remove the “Public Option”
your proposal is “dead in the water”!
You’re not going to tell me what doctor
to see or what treatment to have!
You are so “otta here” in 2012.
Bet on it!
Posted by: reaganfan | July 13, 2009, 2:37 pm 2:37 pm
““Inaction is not an option. And for those naysayers and cynics who think that this is not going to happen, don’t bet against us.”
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LOL, I NEVER bet against a Demcrat and his/her ability to spend my money and get zilch in return!
This whole tact sounds vaguely familar…..like how the end of the world was coming if we didnot pass the great “Stimulator”! Of course then we were told all kinds of fun stories. I can’t wait for the “Tales of ObamaCare”. Unfortunately we will have to read it, we may not have any money left to buy a ticket to see the movie!
Posted by: Mike_C | July 13, 2009, 2:40 pm 2:40 pm
If Obama were TRULY interested in “healthcare reform” he’d address TORT REFORM as a primary and non-negotiable priority.
He has already stated (to the AMA) that he will not address tort reform (wouldn’t want to upset his lawyer buddies). It is obvious he is not truly interested in real reform, but is more interested in increasing government control.
Posted by: tjp612 | July 13, 2009, 2:41 pm 2:41 pm
My employer changed providers 2 times in 5 years. My doctor of 12 years is not in the new network, causing me to pay extra. the REALITY of who is between me and my doctor.
get it done Obama
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reality,
You know your current position, but you have ZERO details on what you will have if your employer switches to whatever govt plan is put forth.
You have no concept of what the coverages Vs. premiums will be. What will you do if the only coverage offered by your employer is the lowest and least expensive piece of this fictional beast from the gov’t?
what if your required to then help carry the burden of eveyone else’s insurance too?
Will it be a better deal? Who knows…Remember my friend the grass is NOT always greener over there!
Posted by: Mike_C | July 13, 2009, 2:49 pm 2:49 pm
You know your current position, but you have ZERO details on what you will have if your employer switches to whatever govt plan is put forth.
I’m not afraid of republican scare tactics and no ideas.
Calling the president a liar is not an idea
Bring on the public option!
Posted by: reality | July 13, 2009, 3:03 pm 3:03 pm
tjp612,
You are right on target with the TORT reform. No real change in cost structure will occur until there is some level of control on malpractice insurance/suits.
Ignoring that as Obama has said he will means there will still be an element for skyrocketing cost. Insure 350,000,000 and even if the rate of suits is .1 %, that still yields about 350,000 lawsuits per year! since this cost can vary greatly, this component certainly must be contained in any REAL attempt to reform healthcare
Posted by: Mike_C | July 13, 2009, 3:42 pm 3:42 pm
reality…”you mean like sending our best and bravest to Iraq?” Please re-insert Afghanistan in place of Iraq..Obama’s in charge NOW!!!
Posted by: Parallex View | July 13, 2009, 5:09 pm 5:09 pm
“reality…”you mean like sending our best and bravest to Iraq?” Please re-insert Afghanistan in place of Iraq..Obama’s in charge NOW!!!”
Geee you mean Obama seeks to actually go after those that attacked us on 9/11 rather than a country that had nothing to do with it and was no threat to us.
Posted by: Ryan C | July 13, 2009, 5:25 pm 5:25 pm
I’ve heard that 80 % of heath care costs occur in the last two years of life. There is vast potential in health care savings by curtailing medical care to the elderly. Mr. Obama as much as said so when a women recently asked him a question about her Grandmother needing an operation. He said that it might be better to just give her a pain pill than provide an expensive operation. Since he did not know the details of her situation, that was pretty cold, but an insight into his thinking.
With public health care, the demand will be overwhelming. There will not be enough money in taxes or enough savings in efficiencies. Government will institute a board of commissioners to decide what service to provide, and how much. We are already seeing this with Medicare. Of course those that are “connected” will be taken care of, but for the rest of us….
Ok, so insurance companies and HMO’s already limit care, but until you have seen the government in action, to quote Mr. Obama, “You ain’t see nothing yet!”
Posted by: Terry | July 13, 2009, 5:59 pm 5:59 pm
The only difference between Iraq and Afghanistan is politics………..
Posted by: Parallex View | July 14, 2009, 12:59 am 12:59 am
I’ll stand behind any Health Care Reform the President and the Congress are willing to use for themselves and their families. FAT CHANCE of that happening!!!!!!!
Posted by: Steve02c5 | July 14, 2009, 6:48 am 6:48 am
My car insurance is pretty expensive too… Mebbe we need some nationalized car insurance to go with all the other govt goodies. uhh… no.
Seems to me that nobody is talking about the problem that this is supposed to be solving. WHY don’t people have insurance? I guess it’s expense. So is giving away insurance gonna make it less expensive? I wouldn’t bet on that either. Perhaps he should be looking at ways of making it more affordable for folks rather than giving it away based on someone else’s sweat.
Posted by: Chip | July 17, 2009, 4:42 pm 4:42 pm
This is Bush’s fault!
Posted by: Moon Bat | July 18, 2009, 11:37 am 11:37 am
If you want the government saying how much can be gained from medical malpractice lawsuits, then surely you might also want the government saying what the maximum price for prescription drugs and gasoline to be too, right?
Posted by: Xavier | July 23, 2009, 4:53 pm 4:53 pm
If the Government is going to run or control Health Care we should all realize that it will be a mess, mishandled, over budget, and another Gov program that will cost increasingly and go bankrupt like every other program the government ever handled. The newest malfeasant is the Cash for Clunker program which is in a terrible tangle of uncertainty with dealers having extreme problems of being payed back. A very simple program in comparison to Health Care, which should be the reason Government should not be the end product of Health Care reform as in managing or control of Health Care.
Posted by: Charles Clark | August 20, 2009, 2:50 pm 2:50 pm