Bill Clinton On Health Care: Obama Can Succeed Where I Failed

New York Times:

As President Obama's drive to remake the nation's health care system shifts into high gear this summer, one thing he wants to do is avoid making the mistakes President Bill Clinton made. And one person who thinks he will be able is Mr. Clinton himself.

"He's got a better Congress, a more receptive climate," Mr. Clinton said in a recent interview. "He also has, frankly, a better -- at least more politically saleable -- set of proposals."

Read the whole story: New York Times

Comments

[mmgbizgirl]

What you consider a failure, I consider a launching pad. Thank you to Bill and Hillary for really putting universal healthcare on the map.

[PSM42]

The. System. Is. Bent.

Good luck on getting anything through. Gore Vidal - "Congress has never been more c0r. rupt". - 0:27

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjCBR-vABMc

[PSM42]

Peter Dale Scott - Groups within the elite, battling for control, Gatekeepers and Noam Chomsky -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDZR72PPUO0

[davenav]

This is a thoughtful and honest comment by Bill, and I commend him for it.

Thank goodness we have a President that can look at the record without being politically blinkered and learn. This is something that would be unthinkable on the other side of the aisle where jumping in line and saluting unquestioningly is the cardinal rule.

[HST]

I was hoping Clinton was talking about financial regulation...

[cyclobenzaprine9]

Healthcare. Definitely healthcare.

Where Clinton failed to implement the single-payer system in 1993 (GOP opposition led not just to the failture of the measure but also to a massive Republican victory in the 1994 mid-term elections), President Obama can turn the tables. We simply cannot repeat what happened sixteen years ago.

[keepacoolhead]

It seems just like a few years ago.

[rain33]

when bill clinton was in charge, he gave hillary to mandate healthcare reform. but what did she do, not invite congress at all only insurance companies.president obama is inviting congress and knows that americans aren't playing games now when it comes to healthcare.had slick willy took care of this, we wouldn't have this problem.i am so sick of republicans of playing fearmonging on security, healthcare, economy etc which drives to splitsville everyday in politics and society.had slick willy didn't bring his bedroom problems in the white house, maybe hillary wouldn't have so much of a rap but who cares now--nobody!.we need healthcare now,we need jobs, we need education so stop doing things bi-partism because you will lose your message and you will lose your next election cycle thanks to republicans who keep saying no! move on president obama and take care the issues that we voted for you to do for voters.

[dillydawg]

Okay, that was then, this is now. What's the point of the rehash of what could have been?

[Poboy]

If there were 137,000 deaths from 2000 to 2006 because of no health insurance, and let's say another 137,000 between 1992 and 2000, then around 274,000 deaths are:

LAID at the feet of Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton and the Democrats by not giving us health care reform.

http://motherearthhealth.blogspot.com/2009/02/estimating-numbers-of-americans-who-die.html

Yes Bubba, you have blood on your cowardly hands, MoFo.

[JSDKoeln]

Right..... and the last 8 years didn't happen. Reality check. blocked by the Reichublicans from the getgo. the lack of healthcare mandates goes right back to Nixon when he introduced and promoted the HMO. Good for big business, bad for the poor schmucks who must partake. Sorry, the Warmonglicans have screwed this country royally. Now fade away into oblivion.

[teron678]

The reason Clinton plan failed ... is because He & Hillary created the bill without consulting Congress .... something Obama I see has learned from ..

[smchp]

The Clinton plan didn't fail. It was the first step to success.

[ThatOne4Me]

one step back...two steps forward ...

[FredDobbs]

And nine eleven wasn't a tragedy, it's just allowed for some new construction jobs.

[MJJM]

It's OK Bill, you gave left the country will a much needed surplus until the un-American Repo Party gave it to their unpatriotic friends and now America suffers.

[Chitown46]

Former President Clinton is right, President Obama has a much better shot at getting health care reform passed then his administration did. Back in the 1990's the Republicans controlled congress and now we have Dem's in control of both house and the White House. Plus Obama can learn from all the mistakes that the Clinton's made when they attempted this.

[foreffectivegovernment]

The Republicans in Congress were not the only reason the Clinton Healthcare proposal failed. The Democrats were angry because they were not allowed to water it down for their Insurance and pharma. buddies. The more things change, the more they stay the same.
The current Congressional/Obama plan will be the equivalent of Bush's Prescription Drug Plan.
Not worth having unless it is ultimately a "single-payer" plan like HR 676.

[schoolmaster]

If we pay too much importance to debates, and try to satisfy every group, tehe problem being as complicated as it is, the efforts would fail. On the other hand, if we stick to one principle ie. universal health care, and ready to cut in other programs in support there off, and take plunge in deep sea, we will succeed by learning how to swim.

[foreffectivegovernment]

Please change your screen name or learn to write. Everyone might get the idea that you are a product of the American Education System.
Oh, maybe you are.

[jmundstuk]

Ya know, it's really not a question of who succeeds and who fails. If *we* succeed in reforming healthcare, it will not be because of one or another person.

[mergina]

NO BE CANNOT. The same powers of GREED that stopped you and Hillary will stop him as well.

[alenaspoppa]

Your optimism is refreshing! Thanks for that!

[Pammy2]

As is your mastery of the keyboard. (No Be Cannot?)