Obama: Senate Will Pass Health Bill by Christmas

(CBS)

President Obama is confident the Senate will pass its comprehensive health care bill before Christmas, he said in an interview taped for Sunday's edition of "60 Minutes" – adding that it will prove to be one of the most important pieces of legislation in decades.

"I think it's going to pass out of the Senate before Christmas," Mr. Obama said in the interview.

Health care reform has proven to be a daunting challenge in Washington for decades, but after a year of debate and deliberation, Mr. Obama said the Congress has shaped a bill that will keep health care costs under control for both Americans and the federal government.

"I think that when we look back after I signed this bill, people are going to acknowledge that not only was this the most important piece of domestic legislation since at least social security, but it also tackled the biggest problem that we had in terms of our long-term fiscal well-being," the president said.

"Seven Presidents have tried to reform a health care system that everyone acknowledges is broken," he continued. "Seven Presidents have failed up until this point. We are now that close to having a bill that does all the things that I said and most experts said needed to be done when we started this process."

Mr. Obama pointed out that, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, the Democrats' health care bill is expected to lower premiums and bring down the federal deficit. The bill is also expected to insure around 30 million people who currently do not have insurance and institute a number of insurance regulations, the president said.

"Now, that's what I wanted," he said. "That is what health economists have recommended. And lo and behold, here it is. Not a government-run program. Not socialist medicine, but a thoughtful -- although admittedly complex -- set of reforms that are going to make health care work better, more cheaply for American consumers."

There are some disputes as to how well the bill would meet the president's goals. A report from the branch of the Health and Human Services Department concluded the Senate bill could slightly raise national health expenditures. Furthermore, some health reform advocates are upset that Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid has weakened the insurance regulations in his bill.

While the Congress has made unprecedented progress on its comprehensive health care reform package so far, the Senate could still trip up and miss its Christmas deadline for passage. Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), who caucuses with Democrats, said on CBS News' "Face the Nation" on Sunday that he "would have a hard time voting for" a bill that would allow people over the age of 54 to buy into Medicare. Democrats recently proposed the Medicare buy-in as a compromise to replace the proposal for a government-run health insurance option, or "public option."

While some have criticized Mr. Obama for not taking a stronger stance on the public option or other specific reform proposals, the president said he has been involved in the debate the whole time.

"Just because I'm not, you know, over at the Capitol Building doesn't mean I'm not involved," he said. "You know my job is not to draft legislation. My job is to set forward a vision, point people in the right direction. That's what we've done. And that's why we're gonna get a bill."

More From President Obama on "60 Minutes":

Transcript: President Obama, Part 1
Transcript: President Obama, Part 2
Obama Versus the "Fat Cats"
Obama: Gatecrashers Lapse "Won't Happen Again"
Obama: Senate Will Pass Health Bill by Christmas
Web Extra: Afghanistan and Pakistan
Web Extra: What Pakistan Must Do
Web Extra: Why This War?
Web Extra: His Biggest Frustration
Web Extra: Unfinished Business
Web Extra: The Party Crashers

[reveal4]

Actually, as an average of polls, the President is at 48.6%. I'm pretty sure Reagan's approval number was lower at this time in his Presidency. http://www.realclearpolitics.com/?state=noad

[dibbs977]

I am a 64 year old, full-time R.N. with over 45 years of nursing experience---and we must have reform. Stop wasting tax payers time and money and work together to get the job done. Do the right thing and get-over the politics. Look-- the right and left are not that far apart. I am on the left---but I don't believe in abortion either--but I know it is going to happen so let's keep it legal ---so we can control it somewhat. Our economy and world is in trouble---we must come together--and have a strong government. Maybe you guys perfer a country with a weak government such as Mexico or Afganistan? Help Obama help us and stop attacking him--he needs our support. We must come together.

[W_A_H]

This healthcare bill is DOA. First of all the U.S. has no money. Anyone who thinks we have a money tree please step forward. This entire initiative?s expense will be burdened by individuals and businesses that pay taxes which won't happen without a fight. I agree healthcare needs to be streamlined but to fund abortions? Illegal aliens? Nope, them there are fightin words. And a majority of those who criticize this post are not paying into the system but want me to? Someone who was born into poverty and worked my tail off for 30 years to not only elevate my station in life but for thousands of others as we now employ 2300 folks and their families with full benefits? Again, not without a fight. And please take socialism out of this equation. The United States will have another Civil War for about a week before this happens and guess what side wins? You tell me?

[erb0087]

"The United States will have another Civil War for about a week before this happens and guess what side wins? You tell me?"
=========================

Your side already lost.

[mmvale]

Does anyone believe that 2,500 pages of new government regulations and new agencies will not cost trillions of dollars? Where is the bill? Do we want these pages running our healthcare? What's in it and what does it really say? Who wrote this disaster? Why did the president and congress write themselves out of it? Let's write a bill that we can understand, especially those voting on it. Let's help our citizens with a simple bill in 10 pages or less.

[gohogs44]

I get so tired of the USA being compared to other countries when it comes to health care. What other country has a 40% obesity rate with at least 4 states expected to hit 50% in the next 3 years? It is estimated that obesity health care costs 4 times that of a person not obese. Just makes common sense. What other country has diabetes running rampant in their children not to mention adults? What other country has such a large population of obese children? What other country can't even get their kids away from an electronic game onto a sports field? Apparently smoking causes all kinds of problems. Etc, etc. The concerns with the Medicare actuary is that these folks will be ones who will file for any expanded Medicare simply because they can't get health care otherwise. Now, I am willing to support your efforts to get coverage if you are trying to do the right thing re your own wellness. We do need changes but not through the way this bill is headed. But, these other folks are killing your coverage chances. If you want my money simply because you are not willing to help yourself, sorry.

[erb0087]

"Obama: Senate Will Pass Health Bill by Christmas"

===================================

Mitch McConnell would love to be "The Grinch Who Stole Health Care Reform"

He will fail.

[rightbehind]

They need to tank this bill it's been turned into garbage. The democrats need to run single payer candidates in 2010. They need to expose the republicrats to their constituents and get rid of them. More than 60% of the country wants a strong public option in health care.

[RobAla]

Everyone in this recession has to tighten his or her belt, except Washington. Washington just gave itself a $1.1 trillion expansion to add to the national debt (that we and our grandchildren will have to pay back). They run up the national credit card, and we are stuck with the bill. If this 2,000 page piece of garbage passes, we all have to live under a lousy health care system for the nation - except Washington. If this crap passes, Americans should scream bloody murder if the arrogant jerks in Washington aren't forced to be the first group who has to live under it - rather than their fat-cat health care they now enjoy. Washington is big on writing exceptions for themselves. People can say what they want about the 1994 "Contract with America", but that was the first time Congress was forced to live under the laws they passed for the rest of us. Until then, Congress was exempt from applying affirmative action laws to themselves. These people view themselves as royalty, and we are the peasants. Both bills in the House and Senate are about bringing power and control to Washington at our expense, rather than to relieve Americans of health care related costs. These bills are filled with fees and new taxes, and the CBO is now saying the Senate bill will cause health care costs to go up. I'm for the government to invest in a really good shredder for both bills. Washington should have spent 2009 focusing on jobs and the economy, not this.

[bubbadubba]

If 30 million Americans get health insurance it will really ruin Christmas for the Republicans who exist to make people suffer and die either through poverty, lack of health care, or wars.

[mcgarytk]

Your comment about Republicans verifies you must be on crack (cracked in the head). Democrats as well as Republicans will be responsible in one way or the other for the demise of our society. This health bill has a few things good about it and a whole lot more that isn't. If you think we are in economic trouble now, just wait and let's see what you have to say in about five years. Yes, some people really need help but there are a lot of people out there that don't have insurance because they choose to spend their money on other things. We will end up with a whiney society that thinks the govt should pay for everything. Just remember nothing is for free and you will definitely have to pay a price for this and don't come sniveling when you are in the soup line.

[ahrats]

TAX & SPEND democrates are trying to ruin the U.S.. WE DO NOT NEED HEALTH CARE CHANGES AT THIS TIME, KIll THE BILL!

[jtdev1]

Obviously you don't know what your talking about. Maybe YOU don't need health care, but there are quite a few people out there that have no access to health care.

try thinking of others before thinking of yourself.

That is whats wrong with the country - I got mine, F-U on yours.