Posted on 09/08/2009 6:57:24 PM PDT by socialismisinsidious
Obama says 'it's time to act' on healthcare
Los Angeles Times ^ | 9/7/09 | Peter Nicholas
Posted on Monday, September 07, 2009 8:33:12 PM by Nachum
In a speech to the AFL-CIO, the president accuses critics and special interests of using scare tactics and spreading 'lies' in healthcare debate.
Reporting from Cincinnati - In a combative Labor Day speech, President Obama said that the healthcare debate had gone on too long and accused opponents of spreading "lies" meant to persuade Americans that his proposed overhaul would cruelly deny care to the elderly.
The president, speaking at an AFL-CIO picnic, said that "special interests" were determined to "scare the heck out of people.
83% Say Proof of Citizenship Should Be Required to Get Government Health Aid
Rasmussen ^ | Sep 7, 2009
Posted on Monday, September 07, 2009 11:15:50 PM by BAW
The health care plan proposed by President Obama and congressional Democrats contains many controversial items that divide the general public. However, one area of consensus among the public is the desire to restrict government health care benefits to U.S. citizens only.
Eighty-three percent (83%) of voters nationwide say that people should be required to prove they are a citizen of the United States before receiving government health care subsidies. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 12% disagree and five percent (5%) are not sure.
Barack Obama health plan looking sick and sorry
The Australian ^ | September 8, 2009 | Brad Norington
Posted on Tuesday, September 08, 2009 2:55:13 AM by myknowledge
BARACK Obama's ambitious push for a government-run health insurance scheme to cover many millions of uninsured Americans looks dead in the water.
The US President's chief promoters have been signalling a significant retreat from the key domestic policy of his first term, just days before Mr Obama addresses a joint session of the US congress tomorrow to argue his case for reform.
After weeks of contention about where Mr Obama stands, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs declared yesterday: "I'm sure he will draw some lines in the sand."
But the sand lines will be unmistakably several steps back from the original public option pledged by Mr Obama to look after the 46 million Americans who lack health cover.
Instead, the emphasis has shifted to improving coverage for the 80 per cent of the US population that already has private health insurance but risks getting tipped out if they have pre-existing medical conditions or get seriously ill.
For those who lack insurance, a compromise is being proposed to make it more affordable for them rather than guaranteeing cover.
Dems Pin Health Reform Hopes on Obama's Speech
San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 9/8/9 | Carolyn Lochhead
Posted on Tuesday, September 08, 2009 3:53:45 AM by nickcarraway
Democrats return to Washington this week for a last-ditch effort to salvage health care reform, looking to President Obama's joint-session speech Wednesday to avert a political and legislative train wreck.
It is an astonishing reversal of fortunes for a party that started the year with triumphant control of Congress and the presidency, confident in its ambitions to retool the nation's economy, not only with health care but also climate change and a New Deal-style economic stimulus.
'It's Time to Act and Get This Thing Done,' Fiery Obama Says of Health Plan
New York Daily News ^ | 9/8/09
Posted on Tuesday, September 08, 2009 6:57:50 AM by nickcarraway
A "fired-up" President Obama declared that it's finally "time to act" on overhauling the nation's health care system.
"Every debate, at some point, comes to an end. At some point, it's time to decide. At some point, it's time to act," he told labor leaders in Cincinnati on Monday afternoon.
"It's time to act and get this thing done," he insisted.
Obama dusted off his "fired-up, ready-to-go" campaign chant during the speech in hopes of recapturing his mojo and setting the tone for what could be a make-or-break week for his presidency.
Time Running Out for Bipartisan Health Compromise (To GOP; NO Bipartisanship, NO Compromise!)
fox news ^ | 9/8/2009 | ap
Posted on Tuesday, September 08, 2009 6:58:52 AM by tobyhill
Time is running out for a two-party compromise on health care as a bipartisan group of six Finance Committee senators considers a new proposal that might be the last, best hope for an overhaul agreement.
The six were to meet Tuesday on Sen. Max Baucus' proposal to create nonprofit insurance plans to compete with those offered by profit-making companies. The proposal by the committee chairman is noteworthy for the piece that's missing: a government-run alternative favored by liberal Democrats.
President Barack Obama, who will address Congress and the nation on health care Wednesday night, told an audience on Monday's U.S. Labor Day holiday that it's time for insurance companies to share accountability for problems in the system. He was not addressing the Baucus plan.
Already, 23 Dems have said they will vote ‘no’ on healthcare reform
The Hill ^ | 09/08/09 | Mike Soraghan and Michael M. Gleeson
Posted on Tuesday, September 08, 2009 7:58:47 AM by kingattax
At least 23 House Democrats already have told constituents or hometown media that they oppose the massive healthcare overhaul touted by President Barack Obama.
If Republicans offer the blanket opposition they’ve promised, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) can afford to lose only 38 members of her 256-member caucus and still pass the bill.
Most Democrats opposed to healthcare reform argue it costs too much, imposes a new tax and fines businesses that don’t provide insurance to employees. Some fear that the bill would subsidize abortion.
Big Brother Health Care Provisions Slipped Into Economic Stimulus Bill
Natural news ^ | Feb 10, 2009 | Mike Adams
Posted on Tuesday, September 08, 2009 8:55:51 AM by listenhillary
(NaturalNews) The new $800 billion economic stimulus bill contains some striking new "Big Brother" health care language that should give pause to all freedom-loving Americans. For starters, the bill requires the electronic tracking of the medical records of all Americans. All your private medical data will be stored in a government database, including your history of disease, pharmaceutical treatments, surgeries and even emergency room visits.
How would you like the government knowing all the details about your drug rehab? Or alcoholism treatments? Abortion? Sexually-transmitted disease diagnosis? Pregnancy status? Blood test results?
But it gets even more interesting than that: Under the new provisions found in the bill, all U.S. doctors will now be stripped of autonomy and forced to follow the medical treatment guidelines dictated by the government.
Obama Readies (Another) Speech As Health Care Picks Up Steam
Yahoo News/TIME ^ | 9/8/09 | By MICHAEL SCHERER AND KAREN TUMULTY / WASHINGTON
Posted on Tuesday, September 08, 2009 9:28:22 AM by mazda77
This is what Barack Obama does. Back him into a corner, get the press all wee-weed up, send his polls ratings plummeting and the aging basketball player responds again and again with the same move: he delivers a major speech. And why not? It keeps working. It's the thing that first introduced him to the nation, at the 2004 Democratic National Convention. It is what extricated him from the Jeremiah Wright mess during the campaign. It has become the central method of his foreign policy push, in Prague, Cairo, Moscow and Accra.
It's also been the method of choice in his push for health-care reform. In just the last two months, he has held six health-care town halls and a prime-time news conference. But public support for his plans has been declining through the summer. So the answer, he believes, is one more speech, Wednesday night in front of a joint session of Congress. (See 10 players in health-care reform.)
Gallup: Most Non-Democrats Say Vote NO on Health Care
Gallup/The Lid ^ | 9/8/09 | The Lid
Posted on Tuesday, September 08, 2009 9:51:30 AM by Shellybenoit
A new Gallup poll on Obamacare was released this morning and it showed that there is still a great deal of Division in America regarding the health care issue. More than anything the divide is along party lines with democrats supporting the plan, independents and Republicans opposing. Members of Congress should pay heed that Americans, especially the bill's opponents, will use the Obamacare vote as a key factor in determining who to vote for in the 2010 elections.
Whoa, Trigger--The latest gimmick to disguise a health-care 'public option.'
Wall Street Journal ^ | September 8, 2009 | Editorial
Posted on Tuesday, September 08, 2009 1:09:08 PM by jazusamo
President Obama has decided that another oration will rejuvenate his health-care agenda—despite having given 27 speeches entirely on health care, and another 92 in which it figured prominently. We'll see how tomorrow night's Congressional appeal works out, but the important maneuvers are taking place in the cloak rooms, as the White House tries to staple together a majority.
The latest political gimmick is the notion of a "trigger" for the public option: A new government program for the middle class would only come on line if private insurance companies fail to meet certain benchmarks, such as lowering overall health spending or shrinking the number of the uninsured. This is supposed to appeal to Maine Republican Olympia Snowe, who could end up as ObamaCare's 60th Senator, while still appeasing the single-payer left.
Up to $3,800 Fine for Failure Get Health Insurance (proposes Sen. Baucus)
Associated Press ^ | September 8, 2009
Posted on Tuesday, September 08, 2009 1:13:16 PM by reaganaut1
A top senator is calling for fines of up to $3,800 on families who fail to get medical insurance after a health care overhaul goes into effect.
The plan from Democratic Sen. Max Baucus of Montana would make health insurance mandatory, just like auto coverage. It would provide tax credits to help cover the cost for people making up to three times the federal poverty level. That's about $66,000 for a family of four, and $32,000 for an individual.
But those who still don't sign up would face hefty fines, starting at $750 a year for individuals and $1,500 for families. The maximum penalty on individuals would be $950.
Steny Hoyer: We may really have to dump this public option
Hotair ^ | 9/8/2009 | Ed Morrissey
Posted on Tuesday, September 08, 2009 1:54:53 PM by SeekAndFind
This morning, Steny Hoyer signaled yet again that the public option will get dropped from ObamaCare, even in the House, where a threat from the House Progressive Caucus says that would lose 100 votes on the final product. Hoyer broached the possibility almost three weeks ago, and was roundly criticized by his colleagues for wavering. But does Hoyer represent the mainstream after the August recess?
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer indicated Tuesday that a public option might need to be dropped from the healthcare bill in order to get it passed.
Obama's test: Quiet right, win left
Politico ^
Posted on Tuesday, September 08, 2009 2:00:58 PM by Sub-Driver
Obama's test: Quiet right, win left By: Carrie Budoff Brown September 8, 2009 04:28 AM EST
After a summer of setbacks, President Barack Obama has a clear roadmap for salvaging health care reform:
Convince skeptical Americans that a new system would actually help them, not limit their choices and care. Strike a compromise between liberals who demand a public option and cost-conscious centrists who call it a deal-breaker. Win over Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.), an inscrutable moderate. And avoid Death Panels II, a rerun of the potent Republican attacks.
Premature baby 'left to die' by doctors ...(UK)
DailymailUK ^ | 9/8/09 | Graham Smith Posted on Tuesday, September 08, 2009 2:32:37 PM by Nachum
A young mother's premature baby died in her arms after doctors refused to help because it was born just before 22-week cut-off point for treatment.
Sarah Capewell, 23, gave birth to her son Jayden when she was 21 weeks and five days into her pregnancy.
Although doctors refused to place the baby in intensive care, Jayden lived for two hours before he passed away at James Paget Hospital in Gorleston, Norfolk, last October.
Health Care Is Not a Privilege … Nor Is It a Right
Pajamas Media ^ | Sept. 8 | Brian T. Schwartz
Posted on Tuesday, September 08, 2009 3:53:29 PM by AJKauf
A popular but flawed argument is that “health care is a right, not a privilege.” Health care is neither a right nor a privilege. Rather, we all have the right to seek medical treatment through voluntary trade or charity.
Ironically, those who claim health care is “a right and not a privilege” support policies that make it a privilege. When government enforces an alleged “right” to health care, the political class decides what health care is and when it’s appropriate for people to get it. That is, health care becomes a privilege granted by those in charge.
Health Care Debate Hinges on Obama's Magnetism (Hey Obama, your "magnetism" has run out.)
fox news ^ | 9 | fox news
Posted on Tuesday, September 08, 2009 5:53:47 PM by tobyhill
Republicans want President Obama to hit the "reset" button on health care reform when he addresses Congress Wednesday night. But if the president's fiery speech to the AFL-CIO Monday is any gauge, he's planning to crank up the volume instead.
In doing so, the president will be upping the ante in the debate, effectively hinging progress on his own magnetism and talent for persuasion -- rather than the merit of the policy proposals he's left up to Congress since taking office.
The question in the coming weeks will be whether that magnetism will be enough to overcome public discontent and break the partisan gridlock in Washington.
Reid Says 90% Agreement on Health Care (Reid, Pelosi, Obama met for nearly an hour)
ABC News ^ | September 08, 2009 | Sunlen Miller
Posted on Tuesday, September 08, 2009 7:35:58 PM by Baladas
ABC News' Sunlen Miller Reports: After emerging from a nearly hour meeting with the President, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said that there is now 90% agreement on the way forward for health care reform.
“Even before the August recess, 80 percent of health care is already done,” Reid said, “In our conversations today, we think we're up to 90 percent of things there are agreed upon. We have 10 percent that we need to work on, and we can do that.”
Sarah Palin: Obama and the Bureaucratization of Health Care
Wall Streer Journal ^ | September 8, 2009 | Sarah Palin
Posted on Tuesday, September 08, 2009 8:04:56 PM by DB9
By SARAH PALIN Writing in the New York Times last month, President Barack Obama asked that Americans "talk with one another, and not over one another" as our health-care debate moves forward. I couldn't agree more. Let's engage the other side's arguments, and let's allow Americans to decide for themselves whether the Democrats' health-care proposals should become governing law. Some 45 years ago Ronald Reagan said that "no one in this country should be denied medical care because of a lack of funds." Each of us knows that we have an obligation to care for the old, the young and the sick. We stand strongest when we stand with the weakest among us.
Obama to Endorse Public Plan in Speech [Will Enzi, Grassley, and Snowe Support This]
Wall St. Journal ^ | September 08, 2009
Posted on Tuesday, September 08, 2009 9:30:25 PM by Steelfish
JONATHAN WEISMAN and JANET ADAMY
WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama, in a high-stakes speech Wednesday to Congress and the nation, will press for a government-run insurance option in a proposed overhaul of the U.S. health care system that has divided lawmakers and voters for months.
White House officials say the president will detail what he wants in the health-care overhaul, as well as say he is open to better ideas on a government plan if lawmakers have them.
Democratic plans call for requiring most Americans to have health insurance. Failure to comply could cost families as much as $3,800 a year, according to a Senate proposal.
The president is likely to make clear that a government-run insurance plan, known as the "public option," will not provide a level of subsidies that give it an unfair advantage over private insurers, according to aides familiar with the speech preparations.
Clinton to Obama: Forget About the GOP CNN ^ | 09/08/09
Posted on Tuesday, September 08, 2009 9:21:02 PM by MissesBush
As President Obama gets set to address a joint session of Congress on the issue of health care reform Wednesday night, former President Clinton says it's time to forget about the Republican Party's role in the process entirely.
"The president's doing the right thing. It is both morally and politically right," Clinton told Esquire magazine in an interview published online Tuesday. "I wouldn't even worry about the Republicans. I'd worry about executing."
Former President Bill Clinton thinks Barack Obama may be on the verge of doing what his administration never could: passing comprehensive health care reform.
Loved it!
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