Obama Urges Action On Health Care Reform: "We've Talked This Problem To Death"

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says it is time for the country to take action on his proposed health care overhaul because "we've talked this problem to death."

Obama said that out-of-pocket costs for Americans are spiraling while health insurance companies have reaped record profits. He also said families are spending more for less care.

Obama visited a children's hospital Monday and spoke with doctors and nurses about the shortcomings of the health care system. He said hey are forced to work in a system that favors drug companies and insurance companies, not care.

The president responded directly to Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), who said last week that health care reform could be the president's "Waterloo."

"Now, there are some in this town who are content to perpetuate the status quo, are in fact fighting reform on behalf of powerful special interests," Obama said. "There are others who recognize the problem, but believe -- or perhaps, hope -- that we can put off the hard work of insurance reform for another day, another year, another decade.

"Just the other day," he continued, "one Republican senator said -- and I'm quoting him now -- 'If we're able to stop Obama on this, it will be his Waterloo. It will break him.' Think about that. This isn't about me. This isn't about politics. This is about a health care system that is breaking America's families, breaking America's businesses, and breaking America's economy."

Obama said the need for change is urgent and indisputable. He says those who oppose him want to preserve the status quo. He says changing the system is more important than politics or his personal reputation.

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Comments

[Chaimirija]

Well, then maybe the government should remove all restrictions on who can provide health care.

[redman2]

Liberals!
Why act like you want facts you think with your heart not your mind.
Fact; HEALTH CARE is unconstitutional there is no right to health care.
Fact; RIGHTs are Inalienable meaning they do not infringe on other peoples freedoms to be granted.
HEALTH CARE does not meet this litmus test.
You use materials paid for by taxpayers and take time from providers and force them to provide care to others, there by infringing on doctors and nurses liberties and freedoms.
Forced servitude under the purview of the federal government like all the other entitlement programs they have instituted.
These politicians have been trampling our constitution for 50 years and WE NEED TO DRAW A LINE IN THE SAND.

NOT A RIGHT!!! NOT CONSTITUTIONAL!!!

[Hannalee]

Oh, COME ON!!! What do YOU think with? Our opponents in most debates don't normally show all that much brain power contrasted with the brilliance on our side. Sorry. A fact that can be proven. Let's go to Oxford and debate. Yes, sometimes it causes problems because we think. So we don't always agree. On your side, I'm so sorry, I'm pretty sure you're not thinking with your head OR your heart. I'm not sure where to locate the cognitive process that puts pitchforks in your hands and heaps you into reactionary herds.

Why were Social Security and Medicare established? Because we didn't want to see elderly people, our beloved parents, homeless, destitute, and sick. Is that so wrong? You don't even have to be a Christian to agree with Jesus Christ on this one. Do we want the poor (mostly women and children, you know. You might know this if you were a smart and educated liberal) to live in their cars and die on the streets?

I'm not sure why I'm trying to write an intelligent reply to a formless, thoughtless, inarticulate mass of letters. What are you really talking about!!! And there you have it, the pitchfork-wielding troglodyte vs the educated liberal.

By the way, it's "thereby," not "there by."

[redman2]

As long as we are talking about caring and thinking with our hearts why would you not take care of your loved ones -vs- counting on a heartless government to do what was always traditionally done by family. Our government is already bankrupt and loaning and printing money to make it seem as though it's not so. What happened to America being a country of self reliance instead of counting on the government at every turn or crisis. For that matter this is a manufactured crisis to help the government cover old debts it has already spent. They just want more and more and more. A government big enough to give you everything you want is also big enough to take it ALL away. Can you say $20 trillion dollars in unfunded liabilities right now if we add nothing. We are broke and the whole world knows it. Guess what they will be coming after everyones pocket book and wallet.

[wayne64]

What is more important than ones health....Everyone needs good health care sometime. Nothing makes more sense than providing good health care for everyone...and it's been proven beyond any doubt that a "for profit" system does not work well for the people. Good health care should be a right and those who fight against it will be remembered 100 years from now along with the segregationists and all those who fought against social security, equal rights and all other programs for the public good.

[KofTX]

Listen, to those on the Left, healthcare reform will not be the perfect plan some of you are vehemently for. If you are waiting for single-payer, you will be disappointed. To those on the Right, stop being delusional or proponents of fear and admit that healthcare reform will not destroy America (Bush damn near did that for you), burden small businesses or put your beloved private insurance companies out of business.

What it will do is provide the very necessary competition for the private sector so they will stop pricing our healthcare into oblivion, similar to what the USPS does for FedEx and other carriers. What it will do is give those who have only the emergency room healthcare plan (socialist, anyone?) with a better option. What it WILL do is decrease our deficits in the out years and help make a more stable economy.

Healthcare reform is NOT a privilege. It is not even a an option. It is NECESSARY.

[redman2]

Ask yourself a question why is there never any dialog about tort reform within the democrat party? It would be one of the fastest ways to lower health care cost and there for premiums. I guess they are NOT trying anything possible to fix health care. Maybe this is because the lawyers own the Democratic Party.
If you recall in a speech the president OBAMA said tort reform would not even be on the table, which was right after he had said there would be no SACRED COWS in this debate. Kind of funny isn't it; he puts special interest groups ahead of REAL reform. I'm an independent and believe both parties have sold us out.
One party has just done it more often and faster than the other.

[redman2]

Going to the bathroom is necessary do you want the government to help people with that too?Liberals!
Why act like you want facts you think with your heart not your mind.
Fact; HEALTH CARE is unconstitutional there is no right to health care.
Fact; RIGHTs are Inalienable meaning they do not infringe on other peoples freedoms to be granted.
HEALTH CARE does not meet this litmus test.
You use materials paid for by taxpayers and take time from providers and force them to provide care to others, there by infringing on doctors and nurses liberties and freedoms.
Forced servitude under the purview of the federal government like all the other entitlement programs they have instituted.
These politicians have been trampling our constitution for 50 years and WE NEED TO DRAW A LINE IN THE SAND.

NOT A RIGHT!!! NOT CONSTITUTIONAL!!!

[spirithaven]

There have been some folks who looked with eyes of what does the bill contain, how is it being offered,
who is it helping-insurance companies and their bottom line or we the citizens.

These same individuals have a healthcare plan that is not available to us and the citizenns are paying for it.

There are built-in safeguards for cost containment. The AMA, AARP, and Drug Companies endorsed it.

Negativity, in anything, is fed by getting individuals believing that it creates the worst problem for them.
It normally is a way to keep things going for the profit of someone, who.

If you have any question about this, look at California budget. The folks that were asked to have a budget in place by July 1, have not. The importance this year was simple, if not done, there would be serious financial consequences. There are.

Please look at the facts, go with your heart. Is what was presented able to be done without increasing the budget? Who and what special interest makes monies off of no decision or a negative decision?
Finally, is it time for us to look at our citizens who have been affected the hardest, not big business?

[wdw505]

no thanks .......i think i'll pass on this one.......

[redman2]

Ask yourself a question why is there never any dialog about tort reform within the democrat party? It would be one of the fastest ways to lower health care cost and there for premiums. I guess they are NOT trying anything possible to fix health care. Maybe this is because the lawyers own the Democratic Party.
If you recall in a speech the president OBAMA said tort reform would not even be on the table, which was right after he had said there would be no SACRED COWS in this debate. Kind of funny isn't it; he puts special interest groups ahead of REAL reform. I'm an independent and believe both parties have sold us out.
One party has just done it more often and faster than the other.

[tothcarp]

In a government controlled environment lawsuits do not exist, due to sovereign immunity. The right to sue has to be made as an exception, with a private bonding company carrying risk, Its in the Constitution.

We are way past the need for health care reform, and are approaching a collapse in demand for services from the insurance industry, and providers as well. There is an increasing level of empty beds, and last time I saw my doctor I was alone in the waiting room. People can't even afford the co pays anymore. Employers are offering less and less in benefits, wont hire middle age people due to health costs, and are getting rid of older workers to cut costs. This eventually will cause the providers as well as insurance companies to fail, as is happening now in many urban areas. Whether Congress acts or not, the result will be a radical realignment in the providing of care, with the government picking up the tab to save the rich investors, as well as the poor.
Its like the old commercial, pay a little now, or a whole lot later.

[redman2]

Go with your mind not your heart, thats the problem with liberals

[redman2]

Wealth envy talking bad about business they are the people who employ people. We seem to have a big problem with that right now because our government is constantly attacking business!!

[hangman1952]

I told my sentors not to support this haelth care reform. Let the moderate sentor from both parties work things out. One way to help the unisured is to give the stae grants to setup free clinics for the uninsured and underinsured. Then work out the rest of the detail regarding major health care coverage

[wdw505]

i said not to support it also as i don't wish to pay of the indigent and lazy

[KofTX]

You already do...every heard of Medicaid, Medicare or the Emergency Room? And by the way, you don't have to be indigent or lazy to not afford health insurance. That was a very dumb thing to say...

[Brute]

Obamacare creates another line…………welfare line, free school lunch line, unemployment line, you go each lunch in the back line, you drink from this water fountain line, you sit in the back of the bus line, you go to the school where WE tell you line, food stamp line...........“free” healthcare line.

Do what THE MAN say.

No thanks, I’ve come too far to stand in those government lines anymore. No more lines.

[taquinas]

Obama's plan is you can choose which line to stand in. That's the true Free Market principle. Anybody can compete to give the consumer the best. Drives prices low. I hate Walmart but it something like what walmart is doing. Walmart kills competition over time by giving the lowest prices, so they say. Republicans hating Walmart principles does not make sense.

[KofTX]

Pure ignorance....

Where do you see the PLAUSIBILITY for what you speak of?

[Garybot]

We get it - YOU want it baaaadd!

[redman2]

Very big word impressive

[SangZe]

The whole health care reform issue is a joke. Nothing of value will get done. Congress is already in the pockets of the health care industry and Obama doesn't have sufficient power to do anything of substance about it. The people don't really care either. It's just another political game, fodder for the media. Nothing more.

[CherokeeGirl]

51 votes is all we need.

[redman2]

All you need to bankrupt the country, good plan

[Marmen]

What President Obama needs to realize is that it is time to take off the gloves. He needs to fight for Health Care with his bare knuckles.

He needs to out ALL those senators and representatives that are in the pockets of the Industry...publish a list of all their contributors and we'll be able to see for ourselves why (for example) Mary Landreiu from Louisiana, a poor state that badly needs this plan, is dead set against it. In her case WE KNOW that she is in the Health Care Industry's pocket, but she is only one of quite a few. We need to shame them.

If Health Care Reform is not passed we are going to be in for a rough time. The Republicans don't care because they know how gullible we are, and a few lies is all it takes to get some on their side. And if the Democrats don't pass reform with a majority in both houses, I, and I am sure many others, will be done with the party, I'd rather vote for Ralph Nader or Ron Paul in protest.

[redman2]

Liberals!
Why act like you want facts you think with your heart not your mind.
Fact; HEALTH CARE is unconstitutional there is no right to health care.
Fact; RIGHTs are Inalienable meaning they do not infringe on other peoples freedoms to be granted.
HEALTH CARE does not meet this litmus test.
You use materials paid for by taxpayers and take time from providers and force them to provide care to others, there by infringing on doctors and nurses liberties and freedoms.
Forced servitude under the purview of the federal government like all the other entitlement programs they have instituted.
These politicians have been trampling our constitution for 50 years and WE NEED TO DRAW A LINE IN THE SAND.

NOT A RIGHT!!! NOT CONSTITUTIONAL!!!

[redman2]

He has had them off for more than a month, he must punch like he throws a baseball

[Marmen]

Only people who have not experienced the lose of their health insurance would tell you that we need to be convinced of the need for reform.
When you lose your job, have you tried to get COBRA? Most people who have lost their income can;t fork up $900 to $1,500 just for a basic plan. And what about those that are not eligible? or their eligilibity has run out? WE DON'T NEED CONVINCING!!
WE NEED ACTION!,,
And let's not even mention those who can't get ANY kind of coverage?
For those of you saboteurs, if the system is not reformed, will we be able to get insurance a year from now at a reasonable rate? What about 10 years from now? The way it's going NOBODY will be able to have an operation without going broke. Is that the kind of system you want? I'd say HELL yeah...if I was making over $100,000/year, but not many of us can do that.
When you consider that, we really are backed against the wall, the system HAS to be reformed, and the monopoly and price fixing power has to be taken away from the Health Care Industrial Complex.

[redman2]

Ask yourself a question why is there never any dialog about tort reform within the democrat party? It would be one of the fastest ways to lower health care cost and there for premiums. I guess they are NOT trying anything possible to fix health care. Maybe this is because the lawyers own the Democratic Party.
If you recall in a speech the president OBAMA said tort reform would not even be on the table, which was right after he had said there would be no SACRED COWS in this debate. Kind of funny isn't it; he puts special interest groups ahead of REAL reform. I'm an independent and believe both parties have sold us out.
One party has just done it more often and faster than the other.

[Chaimirija]

cost of a triple bypass: 146,000K

[sokolof]

Obama can't fight everything! It is upto the democrats in the Senate and Congress to say something against those who want to keep the status quo meaning no better health care system. It is also up to the people to let their voices heard, protest, etc. apparently certain group of people want Obama to fail that they will vote against the health care reform and people do not protest for the right of health care and when Insurance starts to nail people, the people are going to turn to Obama to blame him and make him unpopular that will weaken his next term election. Apparently he is struggling to help American people and they are not supporting it because of fear of the "monster" that is "socialism". Very sad.

[CherokeeGirl]

he looked hurt and sad today when he spoke from the children's hospital, I wish I could kick some...arse. I'm trying the best I can, I think we are all making A HUGE difference. Keep it up! :)

[StellaRay]

CherokeeGirl,

You and I are so on the same side, but I am going to take issue with your statement that Obama "looked hurt and sad today." To me he looked damn smart. Particularly when he made this statement:

"Just the other day," he continued, "one Republican senator said -- and I'm quoting him now -- 'If we're able to stop Obama on this, it will be his Waterloo. It will break him.' Think about that. This isn't about me. This isn't about politics. This is about a health care system that is breaking America's families, breaking America's businesses, and breaking America's economy."

Now it is up to us to stay tough when the going gets tough. It should be no surprise to anyone that health care reform is a battle royale.

Don't believe the msm that always needs to make this look like a horse race. Dog the Blue Dogs. Be relentless. Call and e-mail, and don't ever think it doesn't do any good. It's the only way we have to let them know that we will move heaven and hell to oust them if they turn a tin ear to the fact that over 70% of Americans want a public option.

[redman2]

He has no original ideas, the government is the problem not the solution!

[redman2]

You also sound sadly in love with our President. Which sounds quite pathetic

[redman2]

Ask yourself a question why is there never any dialog about tort reform within the democrat party? It would be one of the fastest ways to lower health care cost and there for premiums. I guess they are NOT trying anything possible to fix health care. Maybe this is because the lawyers own the Democratic Party.
If you recall in a speech the president OBAMA said tort reform would not even be on the table, which was right after he had said there would be no SACRED COWS in this debate. Kind of funny isn't it; he puts special interest groups ahead of REAL reform. I'm an independent and believe both parties have sold us out.
One party has just done it more often and faster than the other.

[redman2]

You sound sadly in love with our President. Which sounds quite pathetic

[redman2]

You sound sadly in love with our President. Which sounds quite pathetic

[Brian Rabble]

The president is lying.
http://bit.ly/UZfnK

[Sundialsvc4]

"Waterloo" has most-certainly come to one Senator.

Let us, for the moment, factor-out "Barak Obama." Let's push aside the personality-cult which has undeniably sprung up around him, and substitute in his stead a truly colorless man whom we shall call "Mort Meek." He, not Barak, is now CEO ... but maybe our "Mort" is not so colorless after all (P.S. =NO= racial reference intended!). "Mort" knows that he is right. And, he knows what his job is as Chief Executive Officer.

This is not "Barak Obama's" plan. This is, fundamentally, not about "Barak Obama." This is about a system of government (and of industry) that is fundamentally "Not Working."

It is the first-and-foremost JOB OF any Senator, any Congressman, and any President, to identify things about Government and Industry that are "not working," and/or that are being deliberately abused, and to "fix them." They have a positive duty to more than 306 million(!) people to do this. The system is specifically designed to be "controlled chaos" ... to foster disagreement but thereby also to harness it. The purpose and the work of "every Civil Officer of this Government" is to work on behalf of and in the sole and exclusive interests of ... 306 million people.

Our present status quo is not only "not acceptable" ... it is "an embarrassment." And I don't cotton to the notion of Uncle Sam having to "blush" about anything.

[redman2]

These Guys don't even read the bills they pass, why would you even begin to place your faith in government? They are all in it for themselves and Obama is just as bad. Just a talking head.

[redman2]

Boy you have the old status quo talking point down

[Marimeko]

Do it without the "REPUGS!" They're hopeless--they care only about beating down Obama--they don't care about the country. Remember that, voters, when the next election rolls around.

[redman2]

Poor poor Obama
Ask yourself a question why is there never any dialog about tort reform within the democrat party? It would be one of the fastest ways to lower health care cost and there for premiums. I guess they are NOT trying anything possible to fix health care. Maybe this is because the lawyers own the Democratic Party.
If you recall in a speech the president OBAMA said tort reform would not even be on the table, which was right after he had said there would be no SACRED COWS in this debate. Kind of funny isn't it; he puts special interest groups ahead of REAL reform. I'm an independent and believe both parties have sold us out.
One party has just done it more often and faster than the other.

[redman2]

You need to get a clue

[beaupritchard]

I'm a little tired of insurers having their hands around the throat of health care legislation. The whole "spread the risk" model is contingent on the healthiest of us continuing to pay premiums just on the chance we get sick.

So why not bust up this model. Why not offer an incentive to be healthy. Why not offer free health care to anyone who hasn't been sick in the last year. This would take the healthy off of health insurer roles and make them assume risk rather than wait for a check from healthy people every month.

Remember insuring is supposed to be a risk business. An insurer is betting an unhealthy person is not going to be sick before he has put in enough money to cover his illness. Healthy people were never really supposed to be part of the mix.

You want to get insurers to the table ... cause them a little pain.

[redman2]

Why do you think every thing in life is free?
Why act like you want facts you think with your heart not your mind.
Fact; HEALTH CARE is unconstitutional there is no right to health care.
Fact; RIGHTs are Inalienable meaning they do not infringe on other peoples freedoms to be granted.
HEALTH CARE does not meet this litmus test.
You use materials paid for by taxpayers and take time from providers and force them to provide care to others, there by infringing on doctors and nurses liberties and freedoms.
Forced servitude under the purview of the federal government like all the other entitlement programs they have instituted.
These politicians have been trampling our constitution for 50 years and WE NEED TO DRAW A LINE IN THE SAND

[mikerobjohn]

The health care reform will not pass because the Democrats can't explain the advantages to reform.

Democrats are losing because they are not strong enough to sell their plan.

[StellaRay]

You're calling the game in the fifth inning. Fasten your seat belt, mikerobjohn, because there are plenty of us who are going for broke. We are going to dog the dogs till the fat lady sings. And if that doesn't work, trust me---we'll put equal effort into getting every dem who failed us out of office.

Btw, what are you doing to help the cause?

[redman2]

Good get all the people currently in office out, I'm all for that

[Sundialsvc4]

(Chuckle...)

This ain't about "Republicans vs. Democrats." This is about "us," and about things about our government that "don't work."

There are plenty of folks who think that "a nation divided against itself" is "a great political strategy." But when I look across this country ... and, when I look in the Congress of this country ... I don't see red-shirts and blue-shirts. I see people. I see UNITED States.

I've got a (original!) poster of Rosie the Riveter on my office wall, and y'know, she is still saying: "WE Can Do It!"

I've also got a poster of Uncle Sam rolling up his sleeves, getting ready to knock someone into the next dimension.

"Failure is not an option."

[redman2]

Their plan stinks that's why I hope it won't pass.