The number of people who will be helped by some of the law’s key provisions taking effect in September may also be lower than some might expect.
“. . . while it will take some time to fully implement this law, reform is already delivering real benefits to millions of Americans.” — President Barack Obama.
Obama video points out the immediate benefits of the new law; McConnell calls for repeal.
Obama challenged Republicans to run on the promise to repeal the new legislation. “Go for it,” he said.
When President Obama signed health reform bill into law Tuesday, did he fulfill a campaign promise to “bring health care to all?” The short answer is — no.
In 1974, Richard Nixon introduced a health care proposal that had many of the key elements of the Obama proposal — elements the public says they want.
Reform will hold insurance companies accountable, protect consumers, and assure affordable quality care, the President says.
“I don’t know how this plays politically, but I know it’s right. And so I ask Congress to finish its work, and I look forward to signing this reform into law.”
“We need to move past the bickering and the game-playing that holds us back and blocks progress for the American people.”
Plan includes insurance mandate and a promise to “end discrimination” from pre-existing conditions.
Release of the president’s budget means the climb toward passage of health reform has gotten steeper.
Politicians, as a group, are not well-known for their courage or responsibility.
Obama had promised to conduct health care deliberations “in front of the cameras on C-SPAN.”
“The worst practices of the insurance industry will be banned forever.”
Insurance industry is trying to block a vote they know they will lose, Obama argues
Projections for Washington state from the Obama administration
“For decades, whenever we have tried to reform the system, the insurance companies have done everything in their considerable power to stop us.”
An “unprecedented consensus that has come together” for health reform, Obama says.
Rising health care costs are undermining our businesses, exploding our deficits, and costing our nation more jobs with each passing month.
Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., will unveil his health care overall bill by midweek. Says plan will cost $880 billion over the next 10 years.
Obama: Without reform half of Americans under 65 face will go without insurance at some point over the next ten years.
President did not put forth serious proposals to reduce the growth rate in health expenditures in his speech last night, argues health economist Alain Enthoven.
Nine “outside-the-beltway” experts comment on Obama’s speech
Had Obama spent more time reminding voters that health reform would provide them with security they now lack he probably would have been better off, writes columnist Jonathan Cohn.
Transcript:
Remarks of President Barack Obama
Weekly Address
Saturday, August 22nd, 2009
Each and every day in this country, Americans are grappling with health care premiums that are growing three times the rate of wages and insurance company policies that limit coverage and raise out-of-pocket costs. Thousands are losing their insurance coverage each day.
Without real reform, the burdens on [...]
Calls President A ‘Bully’
By Mary Agnes Carey – Kaiser Health News
The drug industry’s decision to agree to $80 billion in concessions to the White House was short-sighted, will hurt drug manufacturers and their customers, and “has all the markings of a deal gone sour,” House Minority Leader John Boehner wrote Monday to his former colleague, [...]
President Obama Holds a Health Reform Town Hall in New Hampshire from White House on Vimeo.
President Obama holds a town hall in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, to address questions and concerns on health insurance reform. He talks about ending discrimination based on pre-existing conditions, and takes on some of the rumors about health reform. August 11, [...]
The White House has released a transcript of President Barack Obama’s “Health Insurance Reform Town Hall” meeting held yesterday, August 11 at Portsmouth High School in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
To read it click on “Read more…”.
Transcript released by the White House:
THE PRESIDENT: Hello, Portsmouth! Thank you. (Applause.) Thank you so much. Everybody have a seat. [...]
The White House has launched a “Reality Check” Website to counter what the administration considers to be lies and distortions being spread about health-care reform plans now being considered by Congress by opponents of the measures.
The site features videos of experts addressing concerns that have been raised about rationing, euthanasia, and the effects reform might [...]
In his weekly address, President Barack Obama promises that health-care reform legislation will be passed by the end of the year and he charges that opponents of reform are spreading “the outlandish rumors that reform will promote euthanasia, cut Medicaid, or bring about a government takeover of health care.”
“As we draw close to finalizing – [...]
Invisible Families: The homeless you don't see
They squeeze in with relatives, couch surf with friends or camp out in cars. More families are quietly becoming homeless, driven to the edge by a lack of jobs and affordable housing. The Seattle Times and its local news partners tackle the topic together. Project home
E-Health Records: Seattle is ahead of the curve
Health News from the Seattle Times
