CALL TO ARMS
President Barack Obama rallied a skeptical Congress and a conflicted country to support a health care plan that would cover most of the uninsured, as Republicans continued to show strong opposition.
"I am not the first President to take up this cause, but I am determined to be the last," said the president.
*WATCH THE NOTEBOOK VIDEO MISHMASH ABOVE*
(Includes reaction from Young Democrat Stephen Eisele and Missouri State College Republican Nate Gueltzau)
WATCH THE KY3 NEWS @ 10 REPORT HERE
WATCH THE KY3 NEWS @ 10 REPORT HERE
PLUS: OFFICIAL REACTION (IN ORDER OF RECEPTION):
Billy Long, 7th District Congressional Candidate: "I was disappointed to watch President Obama continue to promote his misleading health care plan, which will not improve access to quality health care for people in southwest Missouri. Instead of a government takeover of health care filled with mandates, we should be promoting policies that can work such as issuing tax credits to allow people to purchase health care, allowing small businesses to pool together to purchase insurance at lower rates, reforming medical malpractice laws, making it easier for people to transfer their health insurance when leaving a job or moving to another state, and ensuring that patients and doctors are in charge of their health care."
Sen. Kit Bond: "The American people want health care reform that lowers costs, increases access and improves care, not a government takeover of health care that will increase costs, force millions of Americans off their current health care plan, raise taxes, increase the deficit and put medical decisions in the hands of a government bureaucrat. In short, they do not want government to over-reach, over-manage, over-spend."
Donn Sorensen, Executive Vice President, St. John's Hospital: "Whatever the federal government does for reform, they should look closely at the demonstration projects already underway to increase quality while reducing costs. St. John's has been participating in the national Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services Physician Group Practice Demonstration (PGP) project and in the last three years, documented better Medicare patient care measures while lowering costs. As a result of improved efficiency by better medically managing patients St. John’s was one of five participants to share performance payments as part of savings generated for the Medicare Trust Fund. Patients in this project consistently followed treatments in a coordinated manner proven to give the best outcomes, which improved care and decreased costs. Whatever takes place in the weeks ahead, Congress should not lose sight of the fact that these types of activities have already been demonstrated and could be replicated across the country."
Sen. Claire McCaskill: "After hosting town halls throughout Missouri, I think the President did a good job correcting all the misinformation that has been spread. Now with the stakes made clear, it’s time to work on reasonable health insurance reform that will bring down the cost of health care, improve the way care is provided, and do it in a way that doesn’t saddle our grandchildren with our debt. He did a great job of explaining that the price of doing nothing is much too steep and those who are blocking health care reform are engaged in very risky behavior."
Lloyd Smith, Mo. Republican Party: "Attempting to salvage his fading hopes for radical health care reform and reverse his plummeting approval ratings, President Obama has resorted to yet another prime-time televised address. But instead of using the opportunity to present new ideas, Obama simply rehashed his discredited arguments and platitudes about bipartisanship without adding anything substantive to the debate. President Obama’s ubiquity is quickly wearing thin with the American people, who have made it clear that a government takeover of our health care system is unacceptable. It is time for President Obama and Democrats to scrap their current bloated, costly, and burdensome legislation and start from scratch—because the American people are demanding a new plan, not a new speech."
9 comments:
How does Billy Long even have the nerve to say anything about healthcare after he said "all of those without health insurance can get out their crying towels"??
It is easy for a rich guy and his insurance executive cronies to say that type of thing, but they should try to be sick and not have insurance.
This is the worst type of politician...
I agree Robert. It's so easy for people with insurance to put down or dismiss people that don't have any insurance. Every persons situation is different. For whatever reasons, not everyone has access or can afford good quality health insurance. Most of these naysayers have no idea what its like to have to tell a doctor or a hospital that they have no insurance. The quality of care is significantly cut when the system finds out you have no insurance. And until the Republicans come up with a better solution, I say some is better than none.
Robert if you don't agree with me or my position I respect that but the quote you used was inaccurate and there is no context. During a speech I said "Now let's talk about the 47 million that are uninsured - get out your crying towel here" Note: I did not say "those without insurance can get out their crying towels" - I then said of the 47 million without health insurance 10.7 million are illegal aliens (the President is now using a figure of 36 million as he has dropped the illegals), 10 million earn in excess of $75,000 a year - thinking if they wanted insurance they could buy it, and 22 million are under 35 years old - most of whom think they're 10' tall - bullet proof and are going to live to be 112 - thinking most of them don't get insurance because they don't think they need it. We do need healthcare reform including Ins. Companies going back to covering pre-existing conditions. If my choice or words was poor I apoligize - but during a speech I was making a point that before we feel bad about not covering illegals, people making good money but choose not the buy insurance and those that don't feel they need coverage do to their age we need to know who makes up the bulk of our uninsured.
Robert,
I think there may be common ground which can be worked on for items like pre-exsisting conditions.
However, this is not about rich versus poor. Haves versus have nots.
It is about freedom and liberty. Should the government have control over our lives in such matters.
If you think the bill doesnt do so, please read it and think again.
Whether you are talking about an unelected council which determines what benefits the govt will pay for or restrict - or the ultimate authority which the secretary of health and human services has - it is all about freedom.
I also find it very distressing that Obama (and our junior senator Claire McCaskill) can call opponents of the bill lairs without prejudice and get away with it, while someone who stands toe to toe gets called everything from brownshirt to political terrorist. Those are actual terms used by Democrat congressman and Obama's campaign wing.
So whats the worst type of politician again?
I agree, Robert. Rarely do I vote for a Republican -- but in the 7th, if I don't have a dog in the fight... I will have to choose someone.
The candidate who claims "26 million people under 35 probably don't want health insurance anyway" definitely will not get my vote.
Paul,
It IS about freedom and liberty. Our country was founded on the most central of moral principles: empathy, on caring about and for each other. We are responsible for ourselves and for one another.
That is WHY WE HAVE principles like freedom and fairness for everyone -- not just the few who are powerful.
To care about our fellow Americans is to care about their health.
This is about empowering the American people.
Should corporations have control over our lives in such life and death matters?
Yikes Billy, I think you were better off without the context.
If your monthly premium is $1500 and your deductible is $5000 (not making these numbers up by the way) That family making $75000 will have to spend nearly a third of their income before they get any benefits. That is not affordable.
Your lack of empathy is disturbing.
I honestly don't give a rats butt about the "bulk" of the uninsured. The fact that there is *anyone* uninsured is a tragedy.
In my case, for instance, because I am still of child-bearing age, the lowest insurance I could find is $406 a month and that doesn't include my husband or my kids. That's just for me alone. For all of us, $734 a month for health insurance is something we just cannot afford. That's more than our house payment. In addition, because our income is just slightly over the limit of what qualifies you for Medicaid, we can't apply for it either. There are many of us stuck in this bureaucratic limbo of not qualifying for one thing and not being able to afford the other.
I am sure we are not the only ones in this situation across the country. I am also sure there are other stories and situations far graver than ours when it comes to health care coverage. Something has to be done. Just because there are a few million of us that want insurance and can't afford it that are being lumped in with a majority of people who don't, does that mean we get brushed aside?
I am saddened that you believe the majority of people who can afford insurance opt not to get it, Mr. Long. I believe you are forgetting a whole bunch of people who do but aren't able to find decent coverage at an affordable cost.
You've already said in your last comment that we do need health care reform. Then let this be time for it to happen. Quit talking about it and actually do something. If there are issues that can't all be fixed at once, then fix what can be fixed like the points you brought up and work towards a solution to the rest.
Billy,
That is revisionist history you are trying to sell to us. I dont buy it. You can't change what you said or how you said it becasue that is how you feel. We dont need another salesmen giving us a load of garbage.
Many people in this country(including republicans) feel we need substantial healthcare reform. We have got to change the way the system works. It may be easy for you to attack people, but that is not what this country needs.
By the way, I am 35 and of child bearing years, like Sandy, and have a tough time paying for our insurance--THAT I WANT.
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