Obama Open To Partisan Vote On Health Care Overhaul

Bloomberg:

President Barack Obama may rely only on Democrats to push health-care legislation through the U.S. Congress if Republican opposition doesn't yield soon, two of the president's top advisers said.

"Ultimately, this is not about a process, it's about results," David Axelrod, Obama's senior political strategist, said during an interview in his White House office. "If we're going to get this thing done, obviously time is a-wasting."

Read the whole story: Bloomberg

Comments

[awt5141]

why should people who do well have to pay for others who dont want to make anything of their lives. my family came from nothing.. but i have always had great healthcare. it because i try. i dont expect handouts. the government screws up everything it touches. .ex.. the postal service.. it runs at a defecit every year.. i'm tired of giving all my money i work for the the sorry non working class. i fell like some other country should come over here and liberate us!!!!

[dxz]

They are using all scare tactics including bold faced lies. Sh-Yawn Insanity today told a caller on his radio show that Obama Heath Care Plan will FINE people with private insurance if they refuse to join the Public Option! Do these people have heart?

[snesich]

Good! And about time!

Enough of this "Bipartisan" Bull. "Bipartisan" means nothing changes. "Bipartisan" means giving the Republicans what they want. "Bipartisan" means bowing before the almighty "health" insurance companies.

The big insurance and pharma companies do not want ANY competition. If they're so confident that their private, for-profit coverage is better than a government plan, then why are they so panicked?

The Republicans are just toadies for the big insurance and drug companies. They will never accept anything that might reduce their profits by even a dime. They don't see health care as something every working citizen deserves. They just see it as a way to get more money, regardless of the human toll.

Forget "Bipartisan" approaches; that just means the same old thing that has been such a disaster. It's time to offer all American citizens a choice between a private and public health care plan.

[IndelibleVoice]

I know republicans think that democrats are crazy free-wielding spenders, but there are people who can't afford health-care coverage in this country. Through no fault of their own, they are weighing on the system. High bills are bankrupting many and already higher premiums are taxing people who are fortunate enough to be insured. If congress passes health-care reform, with our help, we can improve the health of this nation through preventative care, offer a quality low-cost option for those who are not insured and save our children from going bankrupt in the future.

Can you put aside the fear of change and open your mind to the possibility of a better future for everyone? Remember what our former leader--the man no doubt many republicans voted for--George Bush, once said: you're either with us or against us. The same message applies here...

[tm68]

If you don't need the Republican vote, then by all means, make it happen! I'm tired of things not getting done because the Dems are waiting for the GOP to come around their way like so often the Dems do for them. They won't and never will.

[PaxEterna]

One might wonder what the President's true intentions and sense of priorities are . . .

He's had the votes from the getgo but has insisted on pursuing some sort of bi-partisan buy in, for what purpose?

I think it is a smoke screen that will permit him to compromise to keep the medical establishment and their cronies in Congress happy. Just look at the bill that has come out of the House ...shameful!

You know, in order to get bi-partisan vote, we had to accept blah blah blah.

Whatever happened to leadership in this country?

[Garybot]

His Intentions and Priorities are to take control of this country.

He couldn't care less about your health or health insurance.

Here's the new program - enjoy!

http://docs.house.gov/gopleader/House-Democrats-Health-Plan.pdf

[rollingdivision]

Obama should force socialized medicine on the USA.

[Raster]

"Socialized" medical coverage...like Medicare?

[levee]

I like this move. Let the blue dogs volunteer for exposure. when it gets derailed by 2-7 senators then media, blogosphere etc, will wreak havoc, frenzy upon them - it will not be an acceptable storyline to advocate "see America doesn't want health care reform" - and it will be up for a vote again by christmas, after a flurry of ne'er before seen scrutiny of the previously low-lying blue dogs. with 2010 on the horizon they'll make their last flail at reelection. if not, then bring on 2010, and we'll fix it like a stray cur, at the ballot box. 60? that's nothing. let's aim for a constitutional altering 75.

[takeusaback]

From Cherokee Girl: here's what the data says:

Republicans only want more for the wealthy

Republicans don't want anyone to get anything fair that they are entitled to

Many in the Republican senate are "managed" by the C Street group, where they tell them that they can do no wrong because they have been chosen by God.

That's what the data says

Right on the money!

Also true, when Republicans complain about increasing spending and the cost programs or the public welfare (IE: education, health care, and environmental protection, food safety etc) programs, what they're REALLY complaining about is less money for spending on programs for the wealthy and for corporate welfare.

[Garybot]

So - lets see the data.

[Chapmanp2]

It doesn't matter how but at the bare minimum a strong public option is needed. No slight of hand Insurance mandate crap that turns out to be a give away to for profit health care. We need real relief & if it doesn't get done Democrats will pay dearly come election time. We the People know Dems can do this without Republicans & so now we have a test of leadership. A real improvement will guarantee a Democratic majority for years to come. Failure will open the door for Republicans & 3rd party/ independents alike. GET ER' DONE!!! SINGLE PAYER NOW!!!

[lehkb8]

The only path to real reform requires removing the expectation of profit from any insurance company, which requires a government takeover, or "socialized health care." As long as insurance providers continue to be motivated by profit, the American people will continue to suffer.

For a while, my husband and I were paying for an individual health insurance plan. At the age of 26, we were both in excellent health and took zero prescription medications. We wound up paying nearly $500 a month for each of us to have a $5,000 deductible, and that would not cover any maternity expenses for a full year, and even then required over $100 extra each month during that first year just to be able to have maternity insurance later. My premium was much higher than his solely because I am female, and was also doubled when the insurance company discovered I had been prescribed migraine medication nearly two year earlier. I was no longer taking it, which is good - if I had been, I would have been denied coverage outright.

If two young, active, extremely healthy people cannot purchase quality, affordable health insurance on the open market, then good luck to everyone else. I suppose we can stick to the status quo, and let costs get so high that all employers stop providing coverage for their employees. When this happens, we will see how many people are screaming for a public option once they discover they are 100% uninsurable on the open market.

[takeusaback]

The problem is the 60/40 split in the Senate. I think a successful party line vote means that these blue-dog democrats need to understand that their continued service as a Senator (beyond the next election) depends upon them voting for the people's interests instead of the interests of corporate America.

The Democratic party needs to make sure this group understands the party will provide well financed,high caliber candidates, to oppose them for re-election. Needless to say, they would receive no party backing or financing.

The President, and Democrats in both chambers have made the effort to work in a bi-partisan manner. The Republicans have replied with their old and worn partisan rhetoric.

They are to blame for much of this countries ills.

[Moshe]

If the Obama Administration actually intends to pass any genuine health care reform it will be without the GOP.

Problem is, there are so many DEMs who are also in the pocket of the health care industry they may not be able to rely on even solid DEM support for legislation that genuinely serves the people and not just the health care and insurance corporations.

Corporation lobbyists pay our representatives far better than we do, and unless we can clean up the money for votes scam in Washington, our representatives don't really work for us. They work for the people who are offering them future employment and lucrative board membership opportunties if they vote the "right" way and generously stuffing "campaign contributions" in their pockets.

[DRaymond]

This isn't a matter of whether Obama can pass health care reform without republicans, it is a matter that he is going to have to.

The Republicans want to whine about being included in the process, but when it comes right down to the finish line, will any of them actually cast a yes vote? I suspect that when the day comes they will cower at the thought of what Rush Limbaugh will call them the next morning and find some lame excuse to vote no.