Obama Reneges on Health Care Transparency

President Obama wants the final negotiations on health care reform - a reconciliation of the House and Senate versions of the bill - put on a fast track, even if that means breaking an explicit campaign promise.

"The House and Senate plan to put together the final health care reform bill behind closed doors according to an agreement by top Democrats," House Speaker Nanci Pelosi said today at the White House.

The White House is on board with that, too, reports CBS News political correspondent Chip Reid. Press Secretary Robert Gibbs stressed today that "the president wants to get a bill to his desk as quickly as possible."

Special Report: Health Care Reform

During the campaign, though, candidate Obama regularly promised something different - to broadcast all such negotiations on C-SPAN, putting the entire process of pounding out health care reform out in the open. (That promise applied to the now-completed processing of forging House and Senate bills, too.)

Back when Republicans controlled Congress and George W. Bush was in the White House, it was Democrats who angrily complained about secret backroom deals.

Now the roles are reversed.

"The negotiations are obviously being done in secret and the American people really just want to know what they are trying to hide," said Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga.

Even with no cameras and no Republicans in the room it will be a tall order for the House and Senate to resolve their differences - especially on abortion coverage and how to pay for health reform

Even so, top Democrats in both houses say they hope to have the final bill ready for the president's signature in time for his State of the Union address - less than four weeks from now.

Pelosi: Congress Very Close on Health Bill
C-SPAN Calls for More Transparent Health Care Talks
Schwarzenegger Rails Against Health Care Bill
Sources: Obama Backs High-End Health Plan Tax

[chuckerb]

where is the public option? without it this is a giveaway to the insurance industry - check stock prices of Aetna, Cigna and others in last 6 weeks - with the enforcement of the IRS on all americans!

You are responsible for your health, diet, exercise and commonsense - some have diseases they can't help - we should help them (disabled, MS, downs) help them - not the gluttons and slothful.

Obama and congress, Debate this issue openly! Let the people know!!

[raycob]

At least Bush didn't lie every time he opened his mouth.

[raycob]

At least Bush didn't lie every time he opened his mouth.

[go2goal]

Obama....he needs to explain: why he didn't reverse the Bush tax cuts for the rich. why he didn't lead a bill for Universal health care. why he hasn't re-regulated the banking system.....words, words, words. why he hasn't pulled the troops from Iraq....and why he's increasing troops in an winnable war in Afghanistan. He's a flat out liar!

How could I ever vote for this LIAR....he's almost as bad as Bush...now there's a real liar who lead us into TWO wars while his spoiled daughters just partied on.

I'm seek of the millionaires elected to office in DC.....when does the Middle class and lower class get their government back?

The Top 1% now owns 62% of the nation's wealth - they won't stop until they have it all.

[grams8]

The top 1% of wealthy earns 19% of the income and pay 37% of the nation's taxes. The top 10% pays 68% of the taxes. The bottom 50% pay just 3% of the taxes. Most of them get more back in entitlements than they pay. No, I'm not rich at an income of $40,000 per year. But I do know who generates jobs and starts new companies. Keep bleeding the rich and there will be no new jobs. I didn't know it was a crime to work hard and be successful monetarily. The punishment must be to give your money to those who don't work at all. That is socialism.

[go2goal]

Bush was the worst President in US history....in one year, Obama is on track to claim that crown for himself.

I wish we could recall this bumbling liar....Obama and his Chicago style of lies is making the middle class furious! Why can't we hold a recall vote?.....like Bush, he'd be recalled....as long as the Supreme doesn't get the final say.

[jgg000101]

how long does obama get to hold onto the peace prize money he said he'd donate to charity before he gets called a liar on that, too?

[truthtoday]

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/01/05/c-span-challenges-congress-open-health-care-talks-tv-coverage/
Updated January 05, 2010
C-SPAN Challenges Congress to Open Health Care Talks to TV Coverage

The head of C-SPAN has implored Congress to open up the last leg of health care reform negotiations to the public, as top Democrats lay plans to hash out the final product among themselves.

Obama is a Chicago thug. Every word from his mouth is a lie. He was financed and mentored by 1960s radicals and the corrupt John and Richard Daley Political Machine.

[jgg000101]

he flat-out lied. what's this "reneging" bs

[Gumbercules54]

Some people have said the agenda is to make us a 3rd world country. I disagree. I think "they" want to bring all the world up (or down) to 2nd world status so we will all be "equal". Take money from the evil rich, put it in the hands of our federal government, let them spend it (not pay off any debt), borrow more, print more, steal more from the evil rich, etc.. Lowering our standard of living and status in the world economy while giving 2nd and 3rd world countries more undeserved sway in that world economy seems to be the mechanism of our destruction as a world power.

[nasadawg]

That has ben the Dem. Party battle cry for ...Ever!

[r_mcdonald1]

The SC representative that shouted it out loud had it right on the money. He's a liar - he will be the defeat of this nation and deliver us to the hands of Allah.