The Obama Health Care Speech

Posted by KATHY KATTENBURG in Breaking News, Health, Politics, Society.
Sep 9th, 2009 | 36 responses

36 Responses to “The Obama Health Care Speech”

1. Father_Time says:

   September 9, 2009 at 10:14 pm

   I'm really upset with Joe Wilson, R-South Carolina, for screaming out “LIAR” at the President!

   I demand an Apology or legislative action taken against this man for WAY undue disrespect of the President.

   This wing-nut crap is getting out of hand and these people MUST be made ACCOUNTABLE!
2. AustinRoth says:

   September 9, 2009 at 10:48 pm

   I agree with FT on that. What a complete lack of decorum and lack of respect for the office of the President and Congress as a whole. We are not the Philippines.

   btw – he did apologize, but I think it is too little. However, censure is way too strong, given the unwillingness of Congress in the past to censure over even criminal activity by its members.
3. SteveK says:

   September 9, 2009 at 10:59 pm

   AustinRoth wrote: “… However, censure is way too strong…”

   Hell, I don't want Joe Wilson censured, I want him on the lower left hand corner of tomorrows newspaper, in every newspaper in the country. With the headline, of course, reading “Obama's Speech – Finally There's An Adult In The Room”
4. Stephen Wong says:

   September 9, 2009 at 11:05 pm

   I'm in total agreement with Kathy on the speech. It was everything any American wanting substantive healthcare reform wanted and needed to hear tonight. I suspect any Democrats wavering on legislation will feel like the momentum is back on their side for the final push. And to Steve, Austin and FT, I agree that it was hugely disrespectful and it was a nice example of how crazy and nonsensical opponents of President Obama have become, but I have a feeling half of the headlines tomorrow will be about some nobody congressman from SC, and not about the merits of Obama's speech. That's not a good thing.
5. kathykattenburg says:

   September 9, 2009 at 11:13 pm

   FT and AR, Wilson has apologized.
6. adelinesdad says:

   September 9, 2009 at 11:37 pm

   I agree. The speech was a good one. Actually, the majority of the speech followed roughly the same pattern as his recent town halls (with a little polish). He made some of the same talking points arguments again that he has been making (if you like your plan, you can keep it. We're not cutting Medicare–just Medicare Advantage and other “inefficiencies”.)

   But I was struck by his ending. I appreciate that he acknowledged what makes our country unique–our commitment to individual freedom and responsibility. But while acknowledging them, he also stood up for another American ideal: compassion. I've mentioned before that I think a lot of our debate stems from the principles that make us American, and which also sometimes conflict. Those who point to other nations and say that we should just do what they do miss the point. Obama, to his credit, recognizes that our society has unique values which should be respected.

   So, while I continue to disagree with some of Obama's opinions (and I disagree with some of the Republican point of view as well), but I will give him credit for a great speech and I hope that it does start the ball rolling again toward a real and respectful debate on health care reform.
7. Lynnehs says:

   September 10, 2009 at 12:22 am

   I loved Obama's speech, but I think you're a little rough on Rep. Charles Boustany. I didn't agree with everything he said, but he at least attempted to find some common ground and provided a Republican point of view that actually sounded sane for a change. And quite honestly when CNN announced that a Republican response would soon be provided I was expecting to see some red faced maniac screaming about socialism, so it could have been worse!
8. Leonidas says:

   September 10, 2009 at 1:28 am

   Wilson will get re-elected, his district R +9 wont take offense at his remarks, wonder if the same can be said for the relection possibilities of Democrats in republican leaning districts if they vote for Obamacare, I doubt it in some cases.

   As for Obama's speech, looked wishy-washy on public option and looked like he is still wearing the Pelosi gimp suit. He needs to call out the left wing of his own partry and tell them to stop spouting off and get to work at the compromising table..
9. shannonlee says:

   September 10, 2009 at 1:38 am

   Wilson is a perfect example of what a joke the House has become. SC should be ashamed.

   I only saw a replay of the remark..didn't watch the speech. I just didn't see a reason why…
10. Leonidas says:

    September 10, 2009 at 1:42 am

    Actually South Carolina, and specifically Wilson'd district will likely be proud.

    I think Wilson should have waited until after the speech to make his comment and controlled his emotions better, but it needed to be said. The Democrats blocked the application of the SAVE program to HR. 3200 and the assertion that illegal aliens wont be covered is pretty much a lie unless it is applied.

    http://www.cis.org/IllegalsAndHealthCareHR3200

    Although the bill states illegal immigrants are not to benefit from the new affordability credits, this prohibition is without an enforcement mechanism. Congress voted down an amendment in committee that would have required the use of the SAVE program. Almost all other means-tested programs of the kind found in HR 3200 require the use of SAVE. As it now stands, the bill has a ban on illegal immigrants, but Congress has chosen to leave that ban unenforced. As a result, the nearly seven million uninsured illegal immigrants with qualifying incomes could receive affordability credits under the bill, creating billions of dollars in costs to taxpayers. If the final version of health care reform includes a public option plan and if illegal immigrants enroll in that program instead of receiving affordability credits, the costs would be less for taxpayers. Nonetheless, if the government became the direct insurer of illegal immigrants, the cost of covering them would still run into the billions of dollars.

    Might have been the wrong time for Wilson's remarks, but they needed to be said and better then than never. South Carolinians tend to like guys that will challenge the establishment, especially when its not being fully honest. I should know, I'm a South Carolinian.
11. archangel says:

    September 10, 2009 at 2:51 am

    Because so much is at stake for the Republicans, Wilson will be pressed not by constituents, but by the power movers of the party. Likely his apology did not come from his suddenly realizing he was out of control during a solemn occasion…. more likely he got leaned on, hard, by far more moneyed politicos who know they can win the far far right, but that segment is too small to win governorships, congressional seats and presidential races.

    If that had been a highschool assembly with a guest speaker, Mr. Wilson's outburst would have been — well depends on whether you went to Catholic or public school, or private school, and where… but you know how the story would have ended.

    My sense was WIlson planned it. That it was not some sudden incubus that jumped out of his mouth. It reminded me of Dick Army pretending he just had a slip of tongue when he called Barney Frank, Barney faggot. Dick didnt. He had planned it.
12. Leonidas says:

    September 10, 2009 at 4:10 am

    I'm really upset with Joe Wilson, R-South Carolina, for screaming out “LIAR” at the President!

    I demand an Apology or legislative action taken against this man for WAY undue disrespect of the President.

    This wing-nut crap is getting out of hand and these people MUST be made ACCOUNTABLE!

    And I'm sure you demand an apology from Harry Reid and from Brian “Brownshirt” Baird for their remarks? Until you do, forgive me if I don't take your demand seriously, but just more partisan ranting.
13. AustinRoth says:

    September 10, 2009 at 4:34 am

    No, screaming out at the President during a joint session speech is beyond the pale. It is beyond poor taste. It is truly disrespectful, and deserves stronger condemnation, especially from Republican leaders. It was disgraceful. It is not 'just more partisan ranting'.
14. Deep Brain Diary- The Rantings of a Cranky Parkinsonian says:

    September 10, 2009 at 6:50 am

    [...] The Obama Health Care Speech (themoderatevoice.com) [...]
15. Leonidas says:

    September 10, 2009 at 7:03 am

    Screaming out at the President may be in poor taste, but so is lying to the American people from the bully pulpit. “you Lie” is the minor transgression if you compare.
16. Leonidas says:

    September 10, 2009 at 9:21 am

    And the Fact checks start to roll in and it isn't pretty for Obama:

    http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090910/ap_on_go_pr…

    By CALVIN WOODWARD and ERICA WERNER, Associated Press Writers – Thu Sep 10, 3:15 am ET
    WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama used only-in-Washington accounting Wednesday when he promised to overhaul the nation's health care system without adding “one dime” to the deficit. By conventional arithmetic, Democratic plans would drive up the deficit by billions of dollars.
    The president's speech to Congress contained a variety of oversimplifications and omissions in laying out what he wants to do about health insurance.
    A look at some of Obama's claims and how they square with the facts or the fuller story:
    ___
    OBAMA: “I will not sign a plan that adds one dime to our deficits either now or in the future. Period.”
    THE FACTS: Though there's no final plan yet, the White House and congressional Democrats already have shown they're ready to skirt the no-new-deficits pledge.
    House Democrats offered a bill that the Congressional Budget Office said would add $220 billion to the deficit over 10 years. But Democrats and Obama administration officials claimed the bill actually was deficit-neutral. They said they simply didn't have to count $245 billion of it — the cost of adjusting Medicare reimbursement rates so physicians don't face big annual pay cuts.
    Their reasoning was that they already had decided to exempt this “doc fix” from congressional rules that require new programs to be paid for. In other words, it doesn't have to be paid for because they decided it doesn't have to be paid for.
    The administration also said that since Obama already had included the doctor payment in his 10-year budget proposal, it didn't have to be counted again.
    That aside, the long-term prognosis for costs of the health care legislation has not been good.
    CBO Director Douglas Elmendorf had this to say in July: “We do not see the sort of fundamental changes that would be necessary to reduce the trajectory of federal health spending by a significant amount.”
    ___
    OBAMA: “Nothing in this plan will require you or your employer to change the coverage or the doctor you have.”
    THE FACTS: That's correct, as far as it goes. But neither can the plan guarantee that people can keep their current coverage. Employers sponsor coverage for most families, and they'd be free to change their health plans in ways that workers may not like, or drop insurance altogether. The Congressional Budget Office analyzed the health care bill written by House Democrats and said that by 2016 some 3 million people who now have employer-based care would lose it because their employers would decide to stop offering it.
    In the past Obama repeatedly said, “If you like your health care plan, you'll be able to keep your health care plan, period.” Now he's stopping short of that unconditional guarantee by saying nothing in the plan “requires” any change.
    ___
    OBAMA: “The reforms I'm proposing would not apply to those who are here illegally.” One congressman, South Carolina Republican Joe Wilson, shouted “You lie!” from his seat in the House chamber when Obama made this assertion. Wilson later apologized.
    THE FACTS: The facts back up Obama. The House version of the health care bill explicitly prohibits spending any federal money to help illegal immigrants get health care coverage. Illegal immigrants could buy private health insurance, as many do now, but wouldn't get tax subsidies to help them. Still, Republicans say there are not sufficient citizenship verification requirements to ensure illegal immigrants are excluded from benefits they are not due.
    ___
    OBAMA: “Don't pay attention to those scary stories about how your benefits will be cut. … That will never happen on my watch. I will protect Medicare.”
    THE FACTS: Obama and congressional Democrats want to pay for their health care plans in part by reducing Medicare payments to providers by more than $500 billion over 10 years. The cuts would largely hit hospitals and Medicare Advantage, the part of the Medicare program operated through private insurance companies.
    Although wasteful spending in Medicare is widely acknowledged, many experts believe some seniors almost certainly would see reduced benefits from the cuts. That's particularly true for the 25 percent of Medicare users covered through Medicare Advantage.
    Supporters contend that providers could absorb the cuts by improving how they operate and wouldn't have to reduce benefits or pass along costs. But there's certainly no guarantee they wouldn't.
    ___
    OBAMA: Requiring insurance companies to cover preventive care like mammograms and colonoscopies “makes sense, it saves money, and it saves lives.”
    THE FACTS: Studies have shown that much preventive care — particularly tests like the ones Obama mentions — actually costs money instead of saving it. That's because detecting acute diseases like breast cancer in their early stages involves testing many people who would never end up developing the disease. The costs of a large number of tests, even if they're relatively cheap, will outweigh the costs of caring for the minority of people who would have ended up getting sick without the testing.
    The Congressional Budget Office wrote in August: “The evidence suggests that for most preventive services, expanded utilization leads to higher, not lower, medical spending overall.”
    That doesn't mean preventive care doesn't make sense or save lives. It just doesn't save money.
    ___
    OBAMA: “If you lose your job or change your job, you will be able to get coverage. If you strike out on your own and start a small business, you will be able to get coverage.”
    THE FACTS: It's not just a matter of being able to get coverage. Most people would have to get coverage under the law, if his plan is adopted.
    In his speech, Obama endorsed mandatory coverage for individuals, an approach he did not embrace as a candidate.
    He proposed during the campaign — as he does now — that larger businesses be required to offer insurance to workers or else pay into a fund. But he rejected the idea of requiring individuals to obtain insurance. He said people would get insurance without being forced to do so by the law, if coverage were made affordable. And he repeatedly criticized his Democratic primary rival, Hillary Rodham Clinton, for proposing to mandate coverage.
    “To force people to get health insurance, you've got to have a very harsh penalty,” he said in a February 2008 debate.
    Now, he says, “individuals will be required to carry basic health insurance — just as most states require you to carry auto insurance.”
    He proposes a hardship waiver, exempting from the requirement those who cannot afford coverage despite increased federal aid.
    ___
    OBAMA: “There are now more than 30 million American citizens who cannot get coverage.”
    THE FACTS: Obama time and again has referred to the number of uninsured as 46 million, a figure based on year-old Census data. The new number is based on an analysis by the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured, which concluded that about two-thirds of Americans without insurance are poor or near poor. “These individuals are less likely to be offered employer-sponsored coverage or to be able to afford to purchase their own coverage,” the report said. By using the new figure, Obama avoids criticism that he is including individuals, particularly healthy young people, who choose not to obtain health insurance.
17. BlackSaint says:

    September 10, 2009 at 9:25 am

    Lies, Lies & more lies from our lier in Chief Obama!
18. Oops – CNBC Misses First Minute and a Half of GOP Response | linkthe.com says:

    September 10, 2009 at 10:41 am

    [...] The Obama Health Care Speech (themoderatevoice.com) [...]
19. Olbermann Undermines GOP Response Speaker as ‘Birther’ Who Was ‘Sued for Malpractice’ | linkthe.com says:

    September 10, 2009 at 10:45 am

    [...] The Obama Health Care Speech (themoderatevoice.com) [...]
20. DLS says:

    September 10, 2009 at 10:24 am

    Overreaction to (not annoyance with) Wilson, bad as he was, is unmerited. Note that the GOP rebuttal was sound, but will get nowhere. The Herd wants us to rush to Action, NOW! and the GOP is sidelined on this issue.

    What about the speech itself? Fifties on a scale of 100. Notable defects in addition to being more clear and purposeful than what the lib Dems in Congress have been doing.

    Rather than portability, he wants to maintain the employer system, at least now, in order to get money from it and get people dumped into the “exchanges” and available to use the public option. His calling employer provision of health benefits “responsibility” was an insult to the intelligent, even if the Herd loved it, and missed the hypocrisy inherent in it insofar as ending the employer model goes.

    His reference to Ted Kennedy was a sick appeal to emotion (where was the viola being played?), as was the debasing description of Washington as a nurturer of people. It's nauseating to better people.

    What is his position, or set of positions? He wants the feds to take over the high-risk pool (AIDS and cancer patients, for example, those with pre-existing conditions who can't get insurance, in real-world terms), separately from a universalist public option (for everybody, that is), that he supports and would like to see (in rigged “competition” with private insurers, methodically replacing the latter). Employers who don't offer insurance benefits would have to pay fines (it's obvious to all but the faithful Herd that it means employers will be encouraged to end their plans and move individuals to the exchanges and to the public option, which no doubt is sought by Obama and others). Individuals would have to have insurance (not only raising revenue for the public option and lowering per capita costs in theory, but also getting people used to paying something like taxes, part of conditioning toward the long-sought “single-payer” model later), with subsidies or tax credits, as in the Massachusetts model.

    Nobody intelligent believes Obama's slicker statements about the state of affairs currently, regarding immigrant benefits, abortion, or expecting to keep one's doctor or insurer, etc. Those were feel-good blatherings to please the exploitable and already-faithful Herd.
21. DLS says:

    September 10, 2009 at 11:08 am

    “Actually, the majority of the speech followed roughly the same pattern as his recent town halls (with a little polish).”

    “Town Halls”:

    I noticed the clucking little cluckers on NPR and CNN failed to note this, an obvious thing to note:

    The shout by Wilson, the one or two signs, the waving of GOP legislation ignored by Obama and the Dems so far — it was reminescent of the “town hall” events that have been happening, when not avoided by the Dems.
22. DLS says:

    September 10, 2009 at 11:12 am

    “And the Fact checks start to roll in and it isn't pretty for Obama”

    It never was. (An amendment to the House legislation was passed already, for example, that permits the public option health plan[s] to provide abortion, so the issue isn't dead as Obama has dishonestly said for weeks now, just because technically it was not in the original bill. Etc.)

    Nor was intelligent listening to and review of his speech.

    He gets a correct rating somewhere in the fifties on a scale of 100 because he laid out his positions in addition to slathering everyone with false or incomplete statements, and stupid emotionalism (I'm still disappointed someone didn't start playing a viola when he referred to Teddy Kennedy). At least he laid out a set of positions in a more clear and direct way than the other lib Dems have this year.
23. Leonidas says:

    September 10, 2009 at 11:27 am

    Blue Dogs have already started stomping on that abortion bit and vowed no healthcare bill as long as abortion is funded. 39 Blue Dogs on that list and nothing will pass without them.
24. shannonlee says:

    September 10, 2009 at 11:31 am

    Wilson is just more filthy baggage that the Rep party has been dragging around this year.
25. shannonlee says:

    September 10, 2009 at 11:38 am

    “Screaming out at the President may be in poor taste, but so is lying to the American people from the bully pulpit. “you Lie” is the minor transgression if you compare.”

    Comments like this make it appear that you've gone off the deep end and into crazy right wing wacko land….at least on this subject.

    There is no defending what Wilson did and it is no shock that he is a southern white male. Between Wilson and Sanford, SC conservatives have found themselves two perfect representatives.
26. DLS says:

    September 10, 2009 at 12:10 pm

    “Actually South Carolina, and specifically Wilson's district will likely be proud.”

    It's beyond the intellectual power of those who found nothing wrong with Obama's speech, or who are ignorant of the basics of English understanding and of political reality with the Dems' building problems this year, but not beyond some of us who find amusement at the idea of “South Carolina” and Wilson being sent a cane:

    (The cartoon may be difficult remedial reading for some, but worthwhile to everyone else.)

    http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/res…
27. D. E.Rodriguez says:

    September 10, 2009 at 1:23 pm

    DLS:

    “His reference to Ted Kennedy was a sick appeal to emotion (where was the viola being played?),”

    At least his references to Senator Ted Kennedy have immeasurably more class than your truly sick remarks on the occasion of Senator Kennedy's burial at Arlington National Cemetery:

    “Worm Food

    ARLINGTON, VA — The third and final course of Kennedy Brothers worm food has been served.”

    Could you please entertain the thought of retracting this?

    Not just making excuses as to some kind of a challenge, bet?

    Thank you
28. kathykattenburg says:

    September 10, 2009 at 1:28 pm

    I should know, I'm a South Carolinian.

    That explains a lot.
29. Leonidas says:

    September 10, 2009 at 1:31 pm

    And you I believe are a New Yorker from NYC, if thats correct it explains alot as well.
30. DLS says:

    September 10, 2009 at 2:52 pm

    “At least his references to Senator Ted Kennedy have immeasurably more class than your truly sick remarks”

    Oh, grow up, already. (The guy who broached it with me won the bet he made with me, obviously.)
31. D. E.Rodriguez says:

    September 10, 2009 at 3:15 pm

    “Oh, grow up, already. (The guy who broached it with me won the bet he made with me, obviously.)”

    I am grown up, DLS. Obviously more than you, since you continue to attempt to minimize or justify some of the most distasteful comments I have seen on this site…or anywhere.

    Let me ask how you would feel if someone had made similar comments about your loved ones, just because that person “was challenged to post them” and “because they were provocative”?

    No, DLS, you grow up and apologize.
32. DLS says:

    September 10, 2009 at 4:54 pm

    Actually, Dorian, I was out on the road and thought about this again and was ready to retract my statement and even apologize, and am still going to do that after taking more from you on here (I just read it a second ago).

    Someone made a bet with me about how such a thing would have been received on this liberal Web site and given the excesses on here, the more vile things directed against Bush and Reagan routinely in the land of liberalism, etc, ad nauseum — I agreed to post it, and certainly the results weren't “disappointing.”

    For the record, it wasn't my view of Kennedy, I retract the statement, and (especially given how you still resent it deeply) I specifically apologize to you — I knew it was an ugly thing to say and admit it here.

    And I'll conclude by repeating again that my own view of Kennedy's death includes the stronger motive than ever now to visit the now-complete Kennedy Brothers site in Arlington the next time I am in DC.
33. DLS says:

    September 10, 2009 at 4:55 pm

    “Could you please entertain the thought of retracting this?”

    Yep.
34. D. E.Rodriguez says:

    September 10, 2009 at 5:44 pm

    I do appreciate it, DLS.

    There are many quotes I could use about the strength of a person for apologizing, but I believe in this case the next one is probably also appropriate:

    “An apology is a good way to have the last word.”

    And so you do.

    Thank you
35. D. E.Rodriguez says:

    September 10, 2009 at 6:01 pm

    Thank you, too.

    Since the comment was on my post, I will see if I can delete it myself.

    DLS, while it means a lot to me, your apology and retraction really mean much more to the memory of Senator Kennedy. I think you'll feel much better when you visit the Kennedy brothers' graves at Arlington.

    Again, thank you

    Dorian de Wind
36. DLS says:

    September 10, 2009 at 7:09 pm

    “I think you'll feel much better when you visit the Kennedy brothers' graves at Arlington.”

    I had no viciousness — as I wrote before, when I visited the JFK library, that family photo on display in it made me think about how they were getting the last laugh on all those who were jealous of them.

    The Kennedy brothers are all gone now, and with them goes the era and the family mystique.