Was Obama Clear on the Public Option?

By: Kevin Hechtkopf
Topics: Health Care

In his prime time address to a joint session of Congress, President Obama offered support for the public option, but not as strongly as some liberal supporters may have hoped for.

In discussing the public option, Mr. Obama began by saying this: "An additional step we can take to keep insurance companies honest is by making a not-for-profit public option available in the insurance exchange."

Mr. Obama also acknowledged opposition to the public option and tried to dispel myths about it. He said it would only be an option for those who don't have insurance, that no one would be forced to choose it and that it would have to be "self-sufficient" via funding from premiums.

"By avoiding some of the overhead that gets eaten up at private companies by profits and excessive administrative costs and executive salaries, it could provide a good deal for consumers, and would also keep pressure on private insurers to keep their policies affordable and treat their customers better, the same way public colleges and universities provide additional choice and competition to students without in any way inhibiting a vibrant system of private colleges and universities," he added.

CBSNews.com Special Report: Health Care

The president also pointed out that polls, such as ones conducted by CBS News, show public support for it.

But then the president started to more directly engage each side of the debate over the public option.

"Its impact shouldn't be exaggerated -- by the left or the right or the media," he said. "It is only one part of my plan, and shouldn't be used as a handy excuse for the usual Washington ideological battles. To my progressive friends, I would remind you that for decades, the driving idea behind reform has been to end insurance company abuses and make coverage available for those without it… the public option is only a means to that end, and we should remain open to other ideas that accomplish our ultimate goal. And to my Republican friends, I say that rather than making wild claims about a government takeover of health care, we should work together to address any legitimate concerns you may have."

And here's what he said about the alternatives to the public option being discussed in Congress: "For example, some have suggested that the public option go into effect only in those markets where insurance companies are not providing affordable policies. Others have proposed a co-op or another non-profit entity to administer the plan. These are all constructive ideas worth exploring."

Mr. Obama closed with what could be seen as the takeaway line from the section of the speech: "But I will not back down on the basic principle that if Americans can't find affordable coverage, we will provide you with a choice. And I will make sure that no government bureaucrat or insurance company bureaucrat gets between you and the care that you need."

That line appears to allow for some wiggle room as to whether the final bill includes a public option or not. Many liberals in Congress have drawn a line in the sand over the public option, saying they will not support a health care bill that does not include it.

In his analysis immediately following the speech, CBS News chief Washington correspondent Bob Schieffer said that part of the speech was aimed at those liberals in the president's own party. (Video at left)

"It seems to me what the president was really saying tonight, he was saying to the liberals in his own party -- 'look, we're not going to get this public, government-run insurance program that you're insisting on, but there are a lot of things that we can get done, very significant things.' He is saying 'don't miss the forest for the trees here.'"

"Now is that going to work? I don't know," Schieffer added. "That's the case he laid out tonight, and kind of throwing a bone to them, he said 'look if it turns out basically that private insurance companies are not providing insurance to all of the people that need it then we can talk about this so-called public plan.'"

What's clear in following the health care debate on Capitol Hill is that the public option's fate is still up in the air. Only time will tell how liberals in Congress react to the speech and whether Mr. Obama was able to move the debate forward.

Full CBSNews.com coverage of the president's speech on health care:

Obama Tells Congress to Stop Bickering
Full Video Full Transcript Speech Highlights
GOP Response: "It's Time to Start Over"
Marc Ambinder: Will Obama's Sales Job Work?
Mark Knoller: Obama Willing to Compromise — Up to a Point
Was Obama Clear on the Public Option?
Ted Kennedy's Letter to Obama
Rep. Wilson Apologizes for Obama Speech Outburst
Analysis: The Road Ahead for Health Care

Kevin Hechtkopf
Kevin Hechtkopf is CBSNews.com's politics editor.
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by sjc_1 September 13, 2009 11:53 PM EDT: The Public Option is for people that can not get affordable coverage, it is not to take customers away from private policies. We all pay for the uninsured, this is a more honest way to account for it. People will pay what they can afford. I would like to see basic coverage for catastrophic events where people do not go bankrupt. That can be done at an affordable level.; Reply to this comment


by faceofus September 13, 2009 11:58 AM EDT: NO!; Reply to this comment


by mickimo-2009 September 12, 2009 9:29 PM EDT: I agree that the best way to go would be medicare for all. I asked a friend who lives in France about her health care. She spelled it out: f r e e. We can't get Congress to agree on single payer but they have to have the public option. I have 2 sons (36 and 38 yrs) with no insurance. Our family has a long history of diabetes so they must get checked at least twice a year. My husband and I pick up the bill. We're retired and paying $600 a month for our insurance.
With a public option, we would keep our insurance and pay to have our children participate in the public option. We can help our children, what about families who can't afford health insurance through no fault of their own? Have we, as a nation, become so unfeeling that we'll let thousands die or go bankrupt because they get sick? Do we think only of ourselves? This is not only an economic issue, but a moral one as well.; Reply to this comment


by n4mwd1 September 11, 2009 3:55 PM EDT: The only viable health care reform is Medicare For ALL. Anything else either falls short or costs too much. For about 1.5% of our paychecks, all the senior citizens in this country are covered and they make up about 90% of the hospitalizations. For about 5%, we could cover everyone. Employers that currently pay for private health insurance could kick in the difference. People unhappy with medicare can purchase private supplements. Unemployed people would be covered free.

If everyone is required to PURCHASE health insurance, it still means that the poor and unemployed wont be able to afford it - public option or not. We already have that so why go through all this nonsense when the uninsured will still be uninsured?; Reply to this comment


by semiretrd September 11, 2009 5:55 AM EDT: Was Obama clear on the public option? I think he was. He wanted to defuse the furor over the idea of having the government provide health care. I heard him say that the public option is not a forgone conclusion, but is only a means of making sure, in some states where there is little competition among health insurance companies, that people have an affordable choice. I heard him say that it is only that, and that we shouldn't get stuck letting it get in the way of reform.

I doubt that many people can afford to pay for health care without insurance. I know that because of my own history, I wouldn't be eligible for many individual policies. With the costs of health care rising as they are, we can't afford to wait any longer to pass health insurance reform. Even if we're happy with our insurance coverage now, we won't be able to afford it tomorrow.

Whatever passes won't be perfect, but we have to start somewhere. For those who say the cost is too high, please consider the history of Social Security and Medicare. The same fears were voiced when that legislation was debated, and yet most of the American people would agree that those programs are valuable and important and benefit most of us who live in America. It's not socialism, it's social insurance - spreading out the risk of bad things happening to your health among many.; Reply to this comment


by njoy00 September 11, 2009 5:09 AM EDT: go woeisme1--you are right on
The American people are losing more and more everyday by not having health care reform. Nobody calls me, polls me or asks me what I think so I'm going to have to speak up because I am tired of hearing about these naysayers on TV and other forums. My health care coverage costs more than my mortgage this year. It's $1250 a month for 2 57 year olds. My 27 year old daughter--who makes $10 an hour pays a 4th of her salary to medical costs/coverage but she lives at home and can't afford to move out unless she gives up her health care--she had a spot of cancer removed and has Psoriasis-that needs constant attention. My nieces, nephew and son's girlfriend from middle class homes--all in their twenties-- can not pay for insurance. They live on their own and the money doesn't go far enough for health insurance. They should not live the rest of their lives living in fear that they will get sick. Nobody should die or go broke because they get sick. But that is exactly what is happening in supposedly the most democratic country in the world. We need affordable health care and we need it now. Obama laid out his plan--let's do it!; Reply to this comment


by bellaanna-2009 September 10, 2009 6:12 PM EDT: Obama said the same things that he has said all summer. He is a very good speaker. I keep thinking about what Charles Krauthammer said "don't listen to what Obama says', watch what he does." He said he would veto pork spending...did he? He was going to give countries who supported terrorist had congress not stopped him. Check it out, the mainstream media want print it, but the Internet has the story,it took Rep. Kay Granger from TX. to call him on it. He was going to break the law and give it to terrorist countries.
Today he loves nurses', "Great speaker"
I do not want my tax money handed over to people like Van Jones to give it to his special interest groups. I am not happy with what is going on in the White House.
I think for some reason Obama thinks that people who have worked and earned a lot of money should give it to the poor. Entitlements are one of the things that is hurting our country...Acorn is funded by my tax dollar and they are out of control, giving money out like water.
I do not believe that Medicare will not be CUT. or increased, should we have to do that to give to people who want work?
I think this Healt Care will be a lot worse than the so called stimulus. I think we will be so sorry if we let this pass.; Reply to this comment


by woeisme1 September 10, 2009 3:48 PM EDT: It's amazing the arrogance of the republican party. They suddenly pretend they want to play nice and "debate" the healthcare issue. They mean they want to STALL healthcare reform.

But on these boards since before Obama was even elected, they have called him a terrorist, a commie sympathizer, a fascist?, a Marxist, a socialist, a Muslim extremist, Kenyan-in-Chief, Commie-in-Chief, loser, enemy of America, and have even called him a nig and a slew of other insults I have on file.

The republican extremists have threatened Obamas life, threatened violence at americans who support Obama, they bring guns to town hall meetings which was just another veiled threat to Obama, they have insulted the appearance of Michelle Obama saying she looks like an ape, they have attacked his children, they have spread fear to little old ladies and attempted to do the same with veterans but that did'nt work, they created this massive insurance funded mis-information campaign, they insult, deride, abase, manipulate, twist other posters words, and presented these boards with an element of extremist lies on every subject.

But they find it "dusgusting" that some of us call them out on all of this?????? What arrogance! What gaul! Whatever abuses you get my extremist friends, you brought on yourselves. We act like that because you treat us like that. All of you! You guys drew first blood and now you want to complain because you are not treated as you would like to be treated????

Please. Quit your lies, renounce extremism, seek out your God or a psychiatrist for some help and come back here in a more civilised manner and you will be treated better by other posters. It's really that simple. Quit your whining about everything under the sun. Admit when you are wrong. Be real men instead of the girly cowardly man you so aptly represent. Do this first and you may re-earn some marginal respect from America.

It is just audacious arrogance that any of you complain about anything or anyone getting on your cases.; Reply to this comment


by bizzybynature September 10, 2009 3:26 PM EDT: HOW ARE WE GOING TO PAY FOR IT?

You might want to think about who is going to chase down all these people who are abusing the Medicare/Medicaid systems with this fraud. All the people they will have to hire?..Then you have all the cases being tried for this and the cost of to the Federal Gov for their attorneys and others they have to subcontract to prosecute these people, the cost of taking care of these offenders in prisons which will be overloaded, of their free healthcare, food, TV, college educations (provided by our penal systems). And yes, they can get a free College Education in prison. We have a local prison - with its weight room, paved jogging path, basketball courts, big screen TV's............you name it they get it all free at the taxpayers' expense. If you think that the money saved from these frauds will go to medical care for us, think again. It will be soaked up into all these other costs and we will still be forced to pay high premiums to the government for their mistakes - it was their responsibility to make sure the system was not being defrauded to start with instead of now having to spend billions to go after these people!; Reply to this comment


by woeisme1 September 10, 2009 3:05 PM EDT: Obama was chrystal clear to the majority of Americans....well those americans with half a brain anyway.

I understand exactly what the public option is and how it's going to be paid for. Obama was plenty clear.

Only those who do not want reform, such as the extremists who post their lies several times daily on this board, are those who cannot understand because they CHOOSE not to understand.

They want Obama destroyed - his presidency failed. That's all the republican extremist wants.; Reply to this comment