Obama Speaks Out on Health Care

While Reform Opponents Hold D.C. March, Obama Tells Minn. Rally That Health Care and Coverage Will Worsen Without Action

(AP)  Last Updated 2:57 p.m. ET

Eager to grab the megaphone from his opponents, President Barack Obama carried a reinvigorated pitch to overhaul and expand the nation's health insurance system in a trip Saturday to friendly territory.

Thousands turned out for what the White House is billing as a health insurance reform rally, reports CBS News White House correspondent Mark Knoller.

It's another chance, said Knoller, for President Obama to make the case for his health care plan - his 5th time this week.

His address to more than 10,000 people at the Target Center was part of a weekend campaign by the White House to give the president as much exposure as possible after his prime-time address Wednesday to Congress.

Mr. Obama stressed that a government-run plan would be one of many options for people seeking affordable care. He said it will promote more competition and "no would be forced to choose it."

He also pledged that with a public option "no government bureaucrat or insurance company bureaucrat gets between you and the coverage that you need."

Mr. Obama said Washington's failure to pass health care reform "year after year, decade after decade, has placed a burden on families, on businesses, and on taxpayers. We can't stand it any longer."

It had all the feel of a campaign event, with People lined the streets as Mr. Obama's motorcade approached the site. Some in the crowd carried supportive signs, including one that referred to the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy: "Carry The Torch of Kennedy."

"Are you fired up?" he yelled. They shouted back "Yes!"

Geraldine Keenan-Friday of Woodbury told CBS Station WCCO that the issue is too important to remain passive. The 44-year-old nurse said there is no way to craft a health overhaul plan that everyone will agree on, so the goal should be to forge something agreeable to most.

WCCO reported that a smattering of protesters outside the Target Center who oppose Obama's initiative - one woman carried a sign reading "Liar, Liar" - was roundly booed by those waiting to enter.

CBSNews.com Special Report: Health Care

At the rally, on network television and on his weekend radio address, President Obama sought once again to take the reins of debate, a task that has proven elusive over the past three months.

In an interview for CBS' "60 Minutes" to air Sunday night, Mr. Obama said he'll be held responsible for any problems once a health care overhaul becomes law, so he has every reason to get it right.

"I have no interest in having a bill get passed that fails. That doesn't work," he told CBS' "60 Minutes" in an interview to air Sunday night.

In his weekly radio and Internet address, the president focused on government figures showing that nearly half of all Americans live without health insurance over any given 10-year period. He said the situation will worsen without the changes he wants and that losing coverage can happen to anyone.

"I intend to be president for a while and once this bill passes, I own it. And if people look and say, 'You know what? This hasn't reduced my costs. My premiums are still going up 25 percent, insurance companies are still jerking me around,' I'm the one who's going to be held responsible. So I have every incentive to get this right," he said in an excerpt of the CBS interview released Saturday.

A new Treasury Department analysis found that 48 percent of all people under age 65 go without health coverage at some point in a 10-year period. The data came from a study that tracked the insurance status of a sample of people from 1997-2006.

The report also found that 57 percent of those under 21 will find themselves without insurance at some point during a span of 10 years and that more than one-third of Americans will be without coverage for a year or more.

"I refuse to allow that future to happen," Mr. Obama said in his weekend message. "In the United States of America, no one should have to worry that they'll go without health insurance - not for one year, not for one month, not for one day.

"And once I sign my health reform plan into law, they won't," he added.

In the Republican address, Sen. John Cornyn said President Obama has rejected ideas that would bring the parties together around overhauling the system and ignored the American people's wishes. He criticized the cost and its long-term effect on the budget deficit, saying one of the House of Representatives bills works out to $2.4 trillion over 10 years, beginning in 2013.

Mr. Obama puts the cost of his plan at $900 billion for the period starting in 2010, when more revenue will be available right away.

"President Obama should work with Republicans on a bottom-up solution that the American people can support," Cornyn said.

While President Obama pressed his case, thousands of people assembled a few blocks from the White House for a march to the Capitol in a protest against what they consider the government's out-of-control spending and interference in people's lives - including the president's health care approach.

Demonstrators held signs that said "I'm Not Your ATM" and "Obamacare makes me sick."

The Minneapolis rally was the latest move in the campaign Mr. Obama promised as he seeks to overhaul a costly health care system he says will bankrupt the country and leave millions more people without needed coverage if left unchanged.

He followed Wednesday night's nationally televised health care speech with a day of events at the White House, including more remarks on health care, a Cabinet meeting dominated by the topic and a meeting with moderate Senate Democrats.

President Obama planned to continue the focus in the week ahead: a speech Tuesday in Pittsburgh at the AFL-CIO convention, where the need for health care overhaul will be an overriding theme, and a rally Thursday in a Washington suburb.

In his televised speech to the nation, Mr. Obama spelled out what he'd like to see in the health overhaul bill he wants: coverage expanded to most of the nearly 50 million uninsured, new requirements for people to get insurance, new prohibitions against insurance company practices like denying coverage because of a pre-existing condition and creation of a new marketplace, or exchange, where consumers could shop for coverage.

[mikeoliphant]

?President Obama?s speech last week really moved me. Despite what my colleagues think of me. If what he says is what will EXACTLY happen, how can I not hope and work towards that cause?? Mike Oliphant runs a small Utah health insurance website www.benefitsmanager.net/SelectHealth.html and www.dentalinsuranceutah.net whom deals with hundreds of people on a day to day struggle to be approved for health insurance. ?I get hopeful that I can finally tell people they can qualify for coverage REGARDLESS of their pre-existing medical condition?. Mike?s concern is that Obama?s people won?t deliver what he urges on areas within his speech. ?I really have been moved by this guy and wish we could just talk so he could understand the frustration of a health insurance agent. I have been involved on a political level within the state of Utah and their struggle for health care reform. I have seen and regrettably been part of politics at work. I have learned lessons through baptism of fire with politics. For instance, I struggled against House Speaker Clark and H.B. 188 because that was what I was urged to do from our industry (that was all I knew). But after awhile and countless meetings with state and private carriers in Utah, I began asking myself if I was doing the right thing. I realized over time that House Speaker Clark really means what he says and is hard nose about getting reform done in Utah. I got that there wasn?t any behind the scene conspiracy scheme or personal objective of Mr. Clark. His bill makes allot of positive changes in the ?health insurance reform? world of Utah. He claims that reform just doesn?t stop there, it must continue through ?health care reform?. You see, there is a major difference between the two reforms. Clark ?gets it? but I really worry that Obama?s administration doesn?t because if you have noticed the subtle language change of dropping ?health care reform? and going to ?health insurance reform?. See more about what Utah has accomplished here which utilizes private carrier involvement with true reform. If you can believe it, they reached it with an objective of $500,000. Perhaps the feds should take a look at Utah and House Speakers Clark?s bill 188. www.prweb.com/releases/utah_health_insurance/health_care_reform/prweb2614544.htm. Now I find myself on the ?other side? of the fence furthering Utah?s cause. Let?s hope we don?t all have a mental breakdown nationally and just take a honest look at the proposals.

[4agreements]

In actuality the "Extreme American Dream" has played out a most complex and imbalanced experiment. Which choice, Corporate Control or Government Control??? Obviously, some very "LARGE SYSTEM" needs to be in place to pool funds to cover the costs. Of course Insurance Lobbyists who are extremely powerful with mega profits will inject fear tactics to remain in "control". Taking the "Profits" out of the "Big Business Health Care system" is the first step in redirecting the dollar towards more focused health care. Of course, it is a major undertaking of "Health Care" in a "Toxic World", but more often, it begins with personal responsibility to educate, and practice discipline in controlling our personal health care. Let's stop blaming and start looking at our own choices. Why not prioritize taking care of one another? The Capitalistic Model is dangerously saturated, so why not direct the fictitious dollar towards caring for the people who need it most? "We the People" are the "Social System". We limit ourselves with labels we really don't understand.

[te519]

Enough bickering. The time for discussion is at an end. (Who said that?)

Give it up Mr. Obama. Your plan for health care "reform" is dead.

[kevjustice]

46 million without insurance. Millions going bankrupt and thousands dying early. Insurance companies making record profits. This is a national discrace.

[reveal5]

There should be a contest to see who can post the most obviously ridiculous comment. Hey fringeright wingers, this is a contest you could win.

[Aldymac]

If you think health care is expensive now,,,,, wait till it's free.

[reveal5]

What are you people meth addicts? How can folks be so incoherent and unaware of any factual information? Goofs, ding-a-lings, dingleberries. How can folks who must have done extremely poorly in school think they know what they are talking about? Oh yeah, you're goofy. Y'all don't know the difference.

[tucano2]

There are two words to apply to whatever Mr Obama has said: "YOU LIE".

[rplat]

Obama needs to find some other way to pay off his parasitic constituents and stop stealing it from the majority of Americans.

[aloy69]

Relax, all you shouting, irrational, fringe Republicans. Would you really complain if this President was white? He is the most capable, charismatic, and honest leader we have had in a very long time. His health care plan does not go far enough. But it is a great start. Like evolution at high speed, his first term will contain a plethora of accomplishments ? of which a major corner stone will be health care. Just wait and watch. God Bless President Obama and God Bless America!

[olyboy]

There is no integrity in a man who refuses to listen to those who put him in office. This is not the country for socialism and I wish those of you who feel that the rest of the country owes you comfort would find a place where that thought is more appropriate. Canada, or many European countries will give you that option. You have no right to take what others have worked hard for simply because you have a "need." We all have needs, and some of us have taken the personal initiative to meet them. Those who have not have exercised their liberty and should deal with the natural result.

[hungry1968-16]

by jowand1 September 13, 2009 11:16 AM EDT
Truth is AARP is a Democrat rag they are selling retirees out, I won't join it.
Why hasn't Obama taken his 500 billion dollar waste out of medicare he had 8 months to do it? Because he is going to cut benefits and services, this is what marxists do.







Everyone on the right claims that medicare and medicaid are rife with fraud and abuse. If that's true, then why didn't they do something about it, over the 6 years that they held majorities in the congress, and senate, and held the White House too?

Come to think of it, they claim that they also want health care reform. If they REALLY wanted health care reform, then why did they wait for Obama to take office, instead of starting the reform process back in 2001?


Ooops!! There's those pesky "facts" again!!

[rocketjl]

Mr. Obama said he'll be held responsible for any problems once a health care overhaul becomes law, so he has every reason to get it right.

Trust me. Let's see if I am close. It will take to the end of 2009 or the beginning of 2010 to pass a Health Reform Law. Then, it will take a couple of years or more to get something so massive into operation.

Obama may be out of office living on the Isle of Capri, by the time this thing goes into operation and things start going wrong. Great move Obama - trust me.

[medivac123]

I sent Joe Wilson $100 to put my money where his mouth was.
U.S. risks, Healthcare "reform" being but one, suggest we're beyond decorum when the con appears on and one-party rulers run amok.
I'd send more if I could sell more but most prospects' capital requests that rolled from '08 to '09 are now rolling to '10. OBAMANOMICS is NOT working. A clear predictor of odds of success with healthcare. Major Co.'s are gripped by FUD (fear, uncertainty & doubt). That "back from the brink" stuff is fiction. Co.'s are planning more layoffs. Hiring and capital spend is limited to urgent issues only. U.S. business can't invest in a fuzzy future. OBAMACARE CBO cost projections (historically 3x original proposal re: MediCare) just adds to their FUD factor. The New Rulers' recent math credibility ($7T deficit...oops...$9T) and lack of HealthCare definition needed to get agreement fails on the most basic levels. It appears we're witnessing the limits of a good sales pitchman. At some point you need to get specific. In today's hyper-fearful environment you often need to do a "Proof of Concept" before closing the deal. Maybe that could work here but the current approach certainly can't.

[dinowatches]

Once again we are reading political hype. Anyone who does not support Obama's bill is a hillbilly or liar. We are not allowed to look at the facts because "they" don't want you to. If the congress has already voted down a bill to enforce checking to see if someone is illegal, then yes, we will add the increasing illegals to our health insurance. If an abortion is a medical procedure, then yes, we will be paying for abortions. If a company has a choice between 8% of their payroll fined or even more to pay for healthcare, then yes, they will make the good business decision and most of us will end up being on the government program. Then Pelosi and her group will have their way. Private insurance will not be able to compete and yes, they will go under. If medicare is so corrupt, why has it not already been fixed? Has anyone told you that the AMA only represents around 20% of our doctors. No, they make it seem like all the doctors are behind this program. Are doctors afraid to speak out because of possible reprisals? Yes. No one in the country is against making sure everyone has health care. The issue is how. This is too important to pass when there is not public support. Please do not quote the latest poll which polled 45% democrats, 16% republicans, etc. Anyone who took statistics knows how to make a poll show what you want it to. We can't listen to them and cbs should not be quoting them. We need to take the time to truly investigate all options and make this a program that is right for our country.

[rocketjl]

In an interview for CBS' "60 Minutes" to air Sunday night, Mr. Obama said he'll be held responsible for any problems once a health care overhaul becomes law, so he has every reason to get it right.

Yeah right, how long does Obama think he will be in office? Then again, if he promises 'his' health reform law is defunct when he leaves office, that might put a new light on things. Most politicians put something into affect, then leave office, making the rest of us live with their mess. That includes Iraq and all the weird places our military are stuck at.

[faceofus]

I think the key words are "your coverage." To me that means that you are only covered for what is allowed. It sounds more like he is adding a government insurance policy. Government and private health insurance policies are not reforming a system that badly needs it. Will it change the cost of private policies? He needs to be very specific and skip the cheerleading rhetoric!

[skyk-2009]

You know I think I've figured out what the real problem is here.... the reason some people continue to spew lies in the face of CLEAR FACT that they are lies. This isn't about Health Care to these People. This is about the President and their hatred for him and US. They do not care if we dig our way out of the Meltdown because we are being LEAD by someone they hate. They don't care how bad our Health Care System is because we are being lead by someone they HATE. It's all about HATE and you could SEE it YESTERDAY! UGLY, I don't care if you do die, BLINDING HATE! It's time to push them aside and go on!!

[dfnj2009]

Healthcare reform is not rocket science. Lobbyists force the politicians to pass legislation creating cartels and monopolies in exchange for campaign financing.

[skyk-2009]

dfnj2009, no, Health Care Reform has NEVER happened. You see the people you point to and their Meat Puppets have always used Fear and Lies to prevent it from happening. This time, because people are able to talk TO each other so easily, those tactics were shot down though. Let's see were we get. I believe WE can do it BETTER than the other nations! I believe WE can find a better way.

[dfnj2009]

Jesus be damned because Republicans have no love or compassion for the uninsured!

[Vet_Turner]

I don't know why anyone even responds to Rowdy. Here's a person that was a huge supporter of Hillary supposedly. And now she is repub against health care? She is lame meat only trying to hurt Obama at all costs.

[eightsigma]

Not to worry. Stay focused on the objective. Fired up?

[skyk-2009]

Vet_Turner, oh but she isn't the only one. I don't know why they can't get over the fact that Obama IS and IS going to remain President. When you look at the Class and dignity this man has dealt with the Fringe Right Crazies. How do you figure them out? The PREVIOUS President SAID he was handing this man an Economic Meltdown and these people complain about the fix... don't have on of their own so they do what they've been doing for 150 years.