Obama Wants a Health Care Bill This Week

Presiden To Pressure Senate Finance Chairman to Move a Bill Out of Committee Quickly

(AP)  Moving forcefully on his top domestic priority, President Barack Obama told a powerful Senate chairman on Monday he wants legislation ready in the Finance Committee by week's end, according to numerous Democratic officials.

These officials said Mr. Obama made his wishes known to Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., at a White House meeting attended by administration officials and senior Democratic lawmakers.

It was not immediately clear whether Mr. Obama expressed a preference for a bipartisan measure - which Baucus has been laboring over for months - or a bill tailored more to Democratic specifications.

The conversation underscored Mr. Obama's determination to push legislation through both houses of Congress before lawmakers go home for a summer break late this month or in August.

The officials who spoke did so on condition of anonymity, saying they were not authorized to discuss private meetings.

Scott Mulhauser, a spokesman for Baucus, said the senior Democrat "has stressed the Finance Committee will be ready when it has a mark (proposal) that can ensure quality, affordable care for every American, lower costs - and pass the Senate."

Despite objections from conservative and moderate Democrats, prospects for House action along the president's timetable are better than in the Senate.

There, majority Democrats are readying legislation, to be introduced as early as Tuesday, that would prohibit insurance companies from denying coverage or charging higher premiums on the basis of pre-existing medical conditions.

The measure would spend billions of dollars subsidizing lower income individuals and families who cannot afford coverage, in an attempt to cut dramatically into the ranks of the uninsured.

To comply with another presidential priority, it would rely on cuts in Medicare and Medicaid to begin slowing the rate of growth in health care spending overall.

The measure is expected to impose a fee equal to 8 percent of a worker's salary on large companies that fail to offer insurance or do not subsidize it at a high enough rate.

Individuals also would have to pay a penalty if they refused to purchase affordable insurance.

Officials announced last week that the measure would include an income tax surcharge on the wealthy, estimated to raise more than $500 billion over the next decade.

Earlier Monday, Mr. Obama delivered a full-throated promise to get comprehensive legislation.

"Don't bet against us. We are going to make this thing happen," he told a news conference intended to focus on his nominee for surgeon general, Dr. Regina Benjamin.

The appearance in the Rose Garden was the president's first public outing since his weeklong overseas trip - and the first after an up-and-down week in Congress.

While the president was out of the country sizing up foreign leaders, rank-and-file lawmakers took a look at the emerging details of health care legislation and many decided they didn't like what they saw. They called a time out. In the House, conservative Democrats rebelled over costs. In the Senate, the Democratic leadership pulled the plug on a controversial financing scheme that a moderate Democrat worked out with Republican counterparts.

Mr. Obama lost no time signaling that he intends to be in the forefront of the action.

"I just want to put everybody on notice, because there was a lot of chatter during the week that I was gone," the president said. "Inaction is not an option."

He also ruled out any tax increase affecting the middle class, complicating lawmakers' efforts to pay for overhaul.

"During the campaign I promised health care reform that would control costs, expand coverage and ensure choice and I promised that Americans making $250,000 a year or less would not pay more in taxes. These are promises that we're keeping as reform moves forward," Mr. Obama said.

[sjc_1]

Mandatory insurance for individuals will doom the Democrats for decades.

[revlin1]

I'll just bet he does. Never in my life would I have dreamed that someone in our WH could be so "hell bent" on ruining this country and bankrupting America. UNBELIEVABLE that the guy is still up there considering we don't know WHERE he was born? We don't know on which passport he traveled into America and then on to Pakistan and "other places" at a time when he COULDN'T travel there as a American citizen. So, which passport did he carry? AND, furthermore WHERE DID THE MONEY COME FROM? WAKE UP CBS....

[drsuz]

"Obama Wants a Health Care Bill This Week"

And I want lower taxes, less taken out of my paycheck and peace on earth..Like that will ever happen

[drsuz]

skyk-2009 July 14, 2009 10:31 AM EDT
I have a better suggestion. Talk to a LIVING PERSON who is actually UNDER such a plan! Talk to someone who LIVES and WORKS for a LIVING in Canada!

Yeah, talk to them..Why do you think they come to the US for treatment?? They can get a surgical procedure done here faster than there. If you need surgery, you are placed on a waiting list. A National Health Care ISNOT as great as you think. Do your research of just HOW the people in Canada and England feel. I have friends and family in the United Kingdom who would disagree with you of it being sooo great.

Instead of Obama and his 'fixation', he should look into regulating the insurance companies on how much they can 'charge' for coverage. Under 'his' plan, those who CAN afford private insurance won't be able to for insurance companies will have to raise their premiums to cover their losses and we will be 'forced' to bend to Obama's plan.

This Country is becoming more like the "Kingdoms" of old. We are all just "Serfs" who have to pay taxes over taxes and live like paulpers while the "Lords, Dukes, Earls, Kings" sit back getting richer and fatter and more demanding.

[jsd330]

Guess what no malpractice in Canada. Nobody wants to talk about how much malpractice insurance adds to health care. And Obama says TORT reform is not an option, could that be because he and the majority of congress and the senate are lawyers.

[sjc_1]

Malpractice awards are less than 1% of health care costs. This is a red herring to throw the discussion off the real topic.

[robrob791]

He needs to ram this thru because his handlers have informed him he will in no way be elected again. He is a MUSLIM, plain and simple and anyone with an IQ of over 65 can plainly see it. You idiots that voted for him will see the day, in the near future, that this USA will be controlled 100% by the Chinese, not with just money but with every thing.

[tomadams99]

I want his wife's designer her shoes too. Another libbie stuck on bullying and stupid.

[panton41]

I went from Blue Cross Blue Shield provided for salary workers to Medicare recently and found that premiums across the board went down ($25 to see a my specialist rather than $40) and, barring reaching the "gap" in Medicare Part D my medicine premiums went down (from a $100 deductible to $35 on the one I take the most). Assuming some of the other gaps are filled in Medicare (like providing dental and fixing Part D) I'd have no problem on seeing an expanded Medicare (if not by name then in spirit) as a part of a nationalized system.

Medicare was a part of Lyndon Johnson's "Great Society" which along with Roosevelt's "New Deal" and Kennedy's "New Frontier" formed the backbone of mid-20th Century's social reforms. It was popular enough that even the ever-vilified Nixon expanded on the programs and it wasn't until Reagan, Bush Sr. & Jr. and yes even Clinton that the programs were dismantled.

[ebphny]

Some say that our government has already proven with Medicare that it can run a healthcare system. People who make these statements are most likely neither Medicare patients nor providers.

Medicare once did work, but that was years ago. Medicare now is worse than private insurance in denying payments, losing or not answering its mail, losing information in their database, and arbitrarily changing policy; ask any provider. I agree with Obama's statement that the question is not big vs. small government. It is rather whether government works. While I am a strong supporter of universal healthcare, my experience as a Medicare provider has not convinced me that the government is up to the task. Let's fix the programs we have before adding new ones.

[drsuz]

Quote: Let's fix the programs we have before adding new ones.


Here Here..I Agree..The Politicians should concentrate more on fixing the broken programs before adding to the problem with new programs.

[Joe_NY_15]

QUICK - RUSH - GET the bill through and passed before anyone reads it !!!!

That's what you get for irresponsibly electing a totally unqualfied community organizer and a democrat dictatorship.....massive spending bill after spending bill rammed down our throats with no checks and no balances in government.

QUICK, RUSH IT THROUGH BEFORE SOMEONE FINDS OUT WHAT'S IN THIS JUNK-BILL

[drsuz]

Makes you wonder why the News Media never lets you know what the Politicans are all adding to the Bills to make the public aware. They rather report on everything else like what the "little Obama princesses" ate for lunch.

[Rubeem]

So now he is pushing to get the health care pushed through....giving deadlines. Just like he did with the so-called stimulus bull. He wants everything rushed through so his baffling with bs does not get recognized and scrutinized by the ever-loving media. God knows Congress will not scrutinize, unless they can read on bended knee to their beloved.
Why oh why should I pay for someone else's medical care when I have worked hard (legally), saved money and can make my own choices ?!?!?

[skyk-2009]

Yeah isn't that why we ELECTED him in the first place. WE have to do something with our FAILED and VERY EXPENSIVE system and we need to do that NOW. IF we'd have done something 3 decades ago, GM isn't in Bankruptcy!!

[Joe_NY_15]

Why should you pay ? so SkyK can get his free ride off your dime and have his trips to the doctor paid for by who ??......YOU

[whymayiask]

Did Obama learn nothing about finances through the forclosure fiasco? We cannot AFFORD this house RIGHT NOW Mr. President...

[GiveMeFreedom]

Hey Obama, I want $10 million this week too. And no more wars. And no more poverty. And no more hunger. And no more cancer. And no more ........ it could go on forever. Time to grow up and stop acting like a teenager wanting everything!

And oh one more thing Santa Obama, I want no more ultra liberal democrats in my life stealing my hard earned money. Yeah I bet that will happen too Santa.

[skyk-2009]

Now since WE THE PEOPLE Elected this fine YOUNG Leader and since WE the PEOPLE voted specifically for what he's INSISTING Congress deliever, maybe you should look for someplace else to rip off people!? We are in the situation we are in because of ONE thing... BLIND STINKING GREED! We are there because ONE PARTY has favored BLIND STINKING GREED to the point that we are nearly bankrupt. Now really do you want to keep up with the Greed Argument, taken what your kind has gotten in compensation over the last 8 years compared to someone say like me? Maybe it's time to find a rock and hope for the best. When you have failed as badly as the Republican's have thats your best option.

[CitizenMikeM]

I gotta say something! I'm a moderate conservative at heart, but don't pigeon-hole me, being progressive is certainly not a bad thing. Iran is a conservative country, Turkey, Spain, the list goes on and on. This Country has to have people from Conervatives to Liberals to keep moving. Change is not always good, but it's not always bad either. I am more than willing to pay higher taxes (I'm also a realist) if it means this country will prosper. The most important political agenda in my 50+ years of life is at at right now--Healthcare Reform, We needed it 40 years ago, but we are desperate for it NOW! This "moderate/conservative" will side with any "liberal" idealist anytime to get that done.

[skyk-2009]

It's OUR turn people... the time has come for the Politician's to FEEL the heat! We MUST have a National Health Care System that allows US, the US WORKER, a chance to compete in the world we have to compete in. To continue to ask AMERICAN Workers to pay for the whole load while other workers face no such burden, makes our Work Force so far behind at the beginning there IS no catching up.

[Joe_NY_15]

It's YOUR turn to what, steal from your fellow Americans to pay for services you can't afford and fund your liberal idea of a free ride to the doctors ?? many healthcare costs are shared by the employer, so your notion that we are "continuing to ask American worker to pay for the whole load" is just that....a load of ______.

[skyk-2009]

Joe I've been a Liberal for as long as I can remember and not only did you TOTALLY distort the ISSUE, you Totally distorted my position. How does someone debate with that? Let's start with small letters here so you'll understand better. WE, the PEOPLE, debated this ISSUE for TWO YEARS before the Election. ONE fact came from that debate.. this NATION wants our FAILED Health Care System REFORMED. With me so far? Now NO ONE that I'm aware of in this debate is suggesting ANY free ride for ANYONE. What is being talked about is trying to fix a system that cost us MORE by twice than any other on the Planet. IF you don't like the "Liberal" position, let's here YOURS. If you have NONE and wish to leave it for the Kids... then why bother with the childish banter?

[Joe_NY_15]

So there is no stimulus checks ? No middle class tax cuts that were promised ?? the only thing we get is more taxes (cap/trade, healthcare, etc.)

If you are tired of the Tax and Spending of the Democrat party, look to the fiscally conservative republicans in 2010 !!!

[skyk-2009]

Oh YEAH Joe! I remember those guys... how can we EVER forget the Republican Lie! Hey I got an idea all you folks out there who are suffering through the worse economic meltdown since the great depression, let's say it together! "We will cut taxes to the Rich, that will TRICKLE DOWN to you working stiffs". "Then we're going to "Cut Spending" which will make up the MASSIVE DEFICITS the Wealth Shift Caused"! ROFLMAO You've got to be kidding?? ROFLMAO You'd HONESTLY buy THAT lie again?? ROFLMAO!! Hey Joe! I got some LAND to sell... it's a little wet but it will do just fine for you!! ROFLMAO

[Joe_NY_15]

Obama wants a health care bill......well I want Obama to stop whistling his S's at the end of every word......for someone who claims to be such a great orator and speaker, can't get some dental work to fix that whistle S or some speech therapy and put down the teleprompter.....it's like the wizard of oz, hiding behind a teleprompter and whistling his S's like a teapot.....Sssss

[whatsup49]

what isn't being reported is that about 10 million of the estimated 45-50 million who have no insurance are illegal aliens. why should i be taxed to provide coverage for them?

another 10 million or so already are eligible for medicare and medicade, but haven't signed up for it.

and another big chunk of that 45-50 mill are the 21 to 35 year olds who would rather have expensive toys than pay for health insurance. they think they will live forever, never get sick and not have an accident. why should i pay for them?

roughly speaking, about 30 to 35 million of the 45-50 million people are represented by the above three categories.

what happened to snobama's promises of no new taxes for people/families making less than $250 k per year? so far, his health care plan will tax me, his cap and trade bill will cost all americans a fortune just for utilities, ie. gas and electricity, cash for clunkers means people who bought their big cars and suvs 3-4 years ago will qualify for the $$$ while my 10 year old car, which doesn't and never has gotten the epa highway mileage estimate doesn't qualify. someone certainly did a snow job on the american public.

[CitizenMikeM]

The last reform point I saw was that illegal immigrants would NOT be covered under the new plan. Of all the 21 to 35 yr olds I have talked to that do not have coverage--their reason is cost--they are just getting started in adulthood and cannot afford insurance--not beacuase the don't want it!

[Joe_NY_15]

Another massive spending bill rammed through congress quickly, and being passed without scrutiny, debate or even reading of the bill.

What is wrong with you guys ?? you need to put some reigns on this clown.....say whoa !!! can we afford this at this time ?

[impeachbhb]

If you want to see what you will get from a government run health plan, take a close look at the VA, Medicare, and Medicaid. If this is the type of program you want, strongly support the Muslim in Chief.

[skyk-2009]

I have a better suggestion. Talk to a LIVING PERSON who is actually UNDER such a plan! Talk to someone who LIVES and WORKS for a LIVING in Canada! LOL This dodge is so old... do you people actually think, given what we have today, you can get away with this? LOL IT's TIME!

[beaumuff]

By all means Obama giter done. Don't matter if its a piece of pork slamed through congress with no thought or even read just like the stimulis. Long as we get it this week.

[whymayiask]

Amen!!! Forget an actual PLAN who needs one of those? I think OBAMA is mentally ill. Either that or he thinks like a 4 year old. NOW NOW NOW...

[skyk-2009]

You know IF you ditto heads had a brain you'd be dangerous! I mean it isn't like this is something NEW!! IF you hadn't been so busy with those Rumors and Lies during the Election you'd KNOW that. IF the Pols do NOT get a HEALTH CARE PLAN out of Congress by the Next Election there WILL most certainly be a price to pay.

[rf35]

"Obama Wants a Health Care Bill This Week"

While I fully support a national health care plan of some sort, let's not rush Congress too much on this one. The only thing that will do is get America a half-baked, poorly designed money pit similar to the "stimulus" bill that was rushed through with no time to trim the pork or even really see just what was being voted on. Give lawmakers a nudge, a little shove to get things moving, maybe a deadline closer to a month or 2 out rather than a week so there is enough time to actually understand what is being passed this time. And a chance to weed out the inevitable BS each Congressman seems to feel obligated to try and sneak in. I think the official Congressional motto should be taken right from Deliverance: "Squeal like a pig!"

[1notrub11]

I couldn't agree more. We have seen too much "railroading" on things which are too important already to have something like this (whether you support it or not) screwed up.

I think legislators should be held accountable for knowing what they are signing. Do your job, people.

[skyk-2009]

How long should we debate this thing? We've BEEN debating it now for over 60 YEARS! How do we KNOW if it will work or not UNTIL we put it in place that give it a spin. It may need work but even at that it's GOT to be better than the WORST on the PLANET!! I mean come on!! We pay TWICE more than anyone else on Earth and cover LESS people with those dollars. Just how much longer would you suggest we debate that issue?