Diane Sawyer Responds to Health Care Special Attacks (VIDEO)

"Good Morning America" co-anchor Diane Sawyer responded to accusations that ABC News will pander to the Obama administration in an upcoming primetime special about health care reform.

Since the announcement of the special, conservative commentators, including Sean Hannity, have decried ABC for promoting "Obama-care" and for making it clear that "journalism in America is dead."

In an interview with Howard Kurtz during the "Reliable Sources" segment on CNN's "State of the Union with John King," Sawyer seemed both upset and bemused by the accusations.

"I'm so proud of ABC," Sawyer said. "This network is trying to tackle a serious issue in a serious way".

Sawyer stressed that the special's purpose was not to unequivocally back Obama's health care plan, but to take a careful look at both sides of the issue. "It is not an infomercial" she noted. "ABC News does not do that... [we] are going to be able to ask questions from every single vantage point".

Sawyer also pointed out that this was not the first time ABC News has been granted access to the White House to film a special focusing on a single hot-button issue. The network arranged a similar program with the Clinton administration regarding gun control, and approached the Bush administration with an offer, but was turned down.

"Our job is to have a serious conversation," Sawyer said. "This is not theater. This is too important."

Watch:

"Questions for the President: Prescription for America" will air on ABC at 10PM ET on Wednesday, June 24.

Comments

[Northreader]

Knowing Sawyer's background with Nixon, this story does not shock me. But I still plan to tune in for the big June 24 ABC News special with I guess Charlie Gibson and Sawyer if I have it right. I happened to watch ABC's Nightline Monday which included Cynthia McFadden making a big deal of a new poll on whether Obama's popularity was up or down. Her report included big chart graphics with percentages. But nowhere did it give the size of the poll ,only a note saying the margin of error estimate could be found on ABC's internet site. On the site ,I found a story with a final paragraph stating the poll involved 1,001 adults contacted between June 18 to 21st. It was a but like finding the small print in an insurance policy. Maybe it is time for an FCC rule requiring a graphic with the poll size and details as long as the percentages are going to be torqued up as meaningful.

[totalliberal]

What is the problem? Instead of buying private health-care, we buy government insured health-care at a much lower rate. Who will pay for it? People who are tired of getting ripped off by private insurance. If you don't want public insurance go ahead and buy private, crooked, over-priced insurance. Your choice.

[flapjack]

The goal of the public insurance option is to run private insurance out of business. Then you will be stuck with only a poorly run government program.

[slocomgp]

The goal of insurance companies seems to be to not to have affordable coverage. My insurance goes up over 25% on July 1st, I have major medical only with with a family deductible of $10,400.00 per year. I guess I need to decide which is more important, being able to go to doctor or pay my insurance premium. It's a joke, my insurance started out about 7 years ago costing $120 for much better coverage, now its $535 and nothing is covered.

[murphysmom]

The goal of public insurance is not to run private insurance out of business; however, if they don't step up to the plate they will lose business if a public plan is available.

When CEO's of private insurance openly admit in hearings that they will not pledge to stop dropping their customers who have paid up policies when the patient really needs the insurance because it saves their company $$$$---who wants to continue with such a company?

You go right ahead and stick with your private insurance company and I pray that there doesn't come a time when you, or a member of your family, truly needs to use the insurance and they either prolong approving the service, or simply drop you altogether!

[Uzo Nwoye]

the only way they can be run out of buisness is if they are indeed selling overpriced products that could be sold for less, if peopel are not satisfied with their products and if someone else can therefore outcompete them. For a party that touts the advantages of free market competition, it has become painfully obvious that you really care about thet when you are top dog. When you are loosing you run back to uncle sam begging for bailouts and begging for them to halt real competition.
If private insurance was such a good deal for the country, it should be able to come out on top after some competition with (what you guys call) shoddy government run companies. You are speaking from both sides of your mouth and not making sense either way

[frappe]

You're making erroneous assumptions. In any event, I'd rather have a poorly run government program that provides everyone with health care coverage from birth onward than a costly, poorly run private plan that only cares about their profit margins.

What you fail to realize is that there is an inherent conflict of interest in allowing private insurance companies to cover people's health. Profit considerations seem to get in the way or supersede consideration of people's general wellbeing.

And, finally, single payer plans have been proven for decades to work just fine in delivering quality health care to all and at very reasonable cost.

[downtherabbithole]

Heck, I am stuck with a very,very poorly run private insurance. If you enjoy your private insurance, I am guessing you have not yet had a serious medical problem. If you have had a serious medical issue and are happy with your coverage please tell me who you are insured by.

[stillfresh]

'scooze me, Diane. There is no other side. Health insurance as designed by private insurers is depravity. A public plan with no profit motive is the only side there is.

[flapjack]

What wrong with a profict motive? Profit leads to higher wages, more jobs, innovation, job security, etc.

[slocomgp]

Why don't we make emergency services like the fire department & police department for profit? Than when your house is burning down you can give them your insurance card.

[psmarc93]

Are you really that simple? You see nothing wrong with healthcare whose primary interest is NOT keeping you and your family alive and well? You support healthcare that charges you through the nose and then drops you when your child's cancer becomes a drain on their profit? Profit motive works fine for business, but for health, education, even police, fire, emergency, and military a profit motive would kill us all.

[Shashi0224]

Profit should not enter into someone having life-saving treatment. It's barbaric.

[Trublulu]

"Profit leads to higher wages, more jobs, etc., etc." For who? The CEO's that rack in millions while the rest of us lose our jobs, our health coverage and our homes?

[123dee]

I have to give President Obama a lot of credit, I couldn't put up with all
these clowns and whining from so many. We will get health care.

[rsprags]

ABCs RATING ARE IN THE TANK AND NOW THEY NEED PRESIDENT OBAMA! He does need them; immediately after the election ABC laid off many of their employees that they knew support President Obama and sent out an email advising the staff that they would be working over time to bring the President's approval ratings down!

[Weirdwriter]

Cite your evidence, please.

[Tommygun264]

ABC wipes the floor with FOX Noise when it comes to ratings.

[dzent1]

The only thing Sean Hannity has ever spoken that has a basis in reality:

"journalism in America is dead."

Enough of this bllsh*t about Socialism. We are talking about a re-prioritization of OUR tax money, with health care climbing up the ladder and warfare sliding down. That's not socialism, but TAX POLICY.

Over 3/4's of our citizens want less money for the Pentagon, more for National Health Care. The jerks who are so loudly boo-hooing are the ones with multi-billion dollar oxes to gore and they don't want YOU out from under their corporate thumb.

Insist your representatives make this change, and ignore the nutjobs who don't want you to believe your own lying eyes.

EVERY OTHER MAJOR NATION IN THE WORLD HAS ALREADY MADE THIS CHANGE.

[humanbeinghuman]

for huffpo's info- i don't read any post that has to with fox or any of it's minions. you are defined by your enemies as well as your accomplishments and i hope for better from your website.

[lovable]

ABC SHOULD HAVE STRUCK BACK AT FOX !!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!

[nogimmicks]

She should just strike back at Murdoch's clowns with equal force. Fox only promotes special interests of the insurance bankers and has no interest in finding a real solution. Well, ABC does too.. which makes the whole matter more complicated.

[MNinWI]

ABC was the one who aired that totally BOGUS 9/11 program.

[SoleProp]

"...journa­lism in America is dead.." Yes and FOX provided the coffin, hammer and nails in the build up to the war in Iraq..

[JFaye]

" ... including Sean Hannity, have decried ABC for promoting "Obama-care" and for making it clear that "journalism in America is dead."

Journalism in America is dying because of FOX entertainment theatrics; They draw a higher rating, in great part because of the logistics in number of markets, and unfortunately the other cable networks attempt to follow suit. Journalism and Sean Hannity is like natural gas to fertilizer.

Thank you Ms. Sawyer for setting the record straight and for taking seriously one of the most vital issues facing America in decades.

[katielady]

Diane, Don't get atwitter.. FOX WAS MAKING THE COMMENT!!!­!!!!!!!!!!­! Hanutty doesn't think people should have facts!!!! Each talking head is trying to gain his or her audience share.. this is about viewership not gathering info..

[sushi27]

Conservative repugs don't want people to know the facts - afraid if the facts get out, everyone will be PRO single payer healthcare instead of the pro-insurance, profit driven republican way (which is bankrupting our country). Republicans no longer care about the average person - only the money they get from insurance companies -- sad.

All of the southern states that continue to back republicans would rather DIE Capitalists without health insurance than live with health insurance that they call communism/socialism - wow.

If they are soooo against government run insurance, then give back the insurance we give Congress! Don't see any of them complaining about their coverage - which is government run!!!!! All Americans should have the same coverage as Congress!!!!!

p.s. my Canadian friends love their healthcare.

[flapjack]

Who cares what your Canadian friends love or don't love? If their insurance is so good, why do many come here for healthcare? It's simple. They have rationed care in Canada, so if you need a procedure done and you need it done soon you have to come to the US.

[murphysmom]

This is a lie!!! Give facts--who do you know came to the US to have any medical procedure done, and specifically why did they come? Back up your claims.

As someone who visited Canada, have you?, and spoken to a Canadian about their health care--they have no complaints. They pay higher taxes, but they don't have to worry about going to doctors, hospitals, or medicines. Why are people in the US buying medicines from Canada? I would be willing to pay higher taxes for complete health coverage!

I have also visited Ireland, a couple of years ago, and spoke with a gentleman about their health care--which is paid for by the government--and he also had no complaints about it.
He was amazed that the US had so many people without health care and that the government was not taking care of health coverage for all!

[comeback]

Why would anyone be mad...The people dont need the facts...

[beckpod1]

Mickey Mouse News...tha­t's so right....w­ith Mr. George Step. has head mouseketier !
ABC used to do news very well!

[ladycubsfan]

Spoken like a true beckpod. Go back under your rock, will ya?