rssObama: Health Care Reform a Top Priority
Thursday, December 11, 2008 at 1:37 pm
- 59 Comments
Also addressed during President-elect Barack Obama’s juicy press conference about the Blagojevich scandal was the presser’s stated subject, health care.
Obama officially named former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) as his choice for secretary of health and human services and director of the new White House Office of Health Reform. Obama also announced that Jeanne Lambrew, who, like Daschle, works on health care issues at the Center for American Progress, will serve as deputy director of the new office.
Obama pledged to make health care reform a top priority of the new administration. From his prepared remarks:
The time has come – this year, in this new Administration – to modernize our health care system for the twenty-first century; to reduce costs for families and businesses; and to finally provide affordable, accessible health care for every American.
The president-elect rebuffed critics who would argue that the current economic crisis should trump health care reform as a national priority by linking the two issues.
Right now, small businesses across America are laying people off or shutting their doors for good because of rising health care costs. And some of the largest corporations in America – including major American car makers – are struggling to compete with foreign companies unburdened by these costs. Instead of investing in research and development, instead of expanding and creating new jobs, our companies are pouring more and more money into a health care system that is failing too many families.
So let’s be clear: if we want to overcome our economic challenges, we must also finally address our health care challenge.
Daschle, wearing a pair of bright red, round glasses — much to the amusement of some in the TWI office — singled out skyrocketing health care costs the number of uninsured Americans as two as two principle targets of reform and made the connection between the financial and health care crises even more directly.
Addressing our heath care challenges will not only mean healthier and longer lives for millions, it will also make American companies more competitive, address the cause of more than half of all of our personal bankruptcies and foreclosures, and help pull our economy out of its current tailspin.
Daschle vowed to bring Americans into the reform process and share their ideas by utilizing the transition’s Change.gov Website as a forum for hosting online discussions on health care policy, some of which Daschle would personally participate in.
With increased Democratic control of both houses of Congress, and Democratic Congressional leaders like Sen. Ted Kennedy eager to tackle the issue, the chances of success in addressing the health care reform seem much more likely than under the past administration.
59 Comments
Comment posted December 11, 2008 @ 3:31 pm
Healthcae reform is good, however the socialized medicine is bad. What this country needs to get the insurance companies in check with payiong their claims and taking care of business.
Comment posted December 19, 2008 @ 7:42 am
Finally, a health care reform. Health care and economics really depend from each other.
Comment posted January 23, 2009 @ 8:20 pm
Socialized medicine is a good thing…the problem is that things are so far gone that the insurance companies losing there bit of the pie will likely only cause more issues in the current recession. Sad.
Comment posted January 25, 2009 @ 6:10 pm
Maybe he should include acai berries since they are the next superfood!
Comment posted January 26, 2009 @ 12:41 am
I think the best impact would be the fact that, if almost everyone is covered in some way, doctors won't have to weight their medical advice with the patient's ability to pay.
According to Obama's plan, everyone gets to keep the doctors and health plans they have now, so nothing changes there. However, a 'group plan' would be established for people who don't have insurance through their employers–one that, like when you get a good job, doesn't reject those with preexisting conditions.
The McCain plan does nothing to help people who have preexisting conditions. It only gives a tax credit–$2500 per person, or $5000 per family–to help cover that health care. Since his plan will also tax the health care benefits we get from our employers, we'll need it.
Comment posted January 27, 2009 @ 12:34 pm
i dont think health care is goign to be an issue. Obama is the man and he will not let us down!
Comment posted February 3, 2009 @ 12:32 pm
We'll see if Obama can really do as he prmised.
Comment posted February 3, 2009 @ 9:27 pm
Excellent, entertaining, useful reading, Thanks !!
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Comment posted February 12, 2009 @ 5:59 pm
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Comment posted February 28, 2009 @ 1:02 am
I think obama will do as he promised. First month or so has been very promising so far.
Comment posted February 28, 2009 @ 1:04 am
Obama will do as he promised. First month or so has been very promising so far. I don't see why he won't be a good president.
Comment posted March 6, 2009 @ 11:06 pm
oh i really hope obama can fix the health care system. i really really need health care
Comment posted April 1, 2009 @ 3:20 am
It is good to hear that Obama is giving top priority to health sector. Let's hope he will do the best.
Comment posted April 5, 2009 @ 7:01 pm
Obama's job will be very hard since he has to fix so many things
Comment posted April 15, 2009 @ 5:08 am
So what is the update on Obama? Is he doing everything he promised?
Comment posted April 19, 2009 @ 1:51 am
I think he is doing as he promised and he is working very hard to improve the image that george bush had set up in other countries. He is working towards friendship even with anti-american people like the president of venezuela . His efforts will certainly bring good returns in terms of business and peace alike
Comment posted July 18, 2009 @ 11:56 am
Republicans believe that the last thing the American people want is government telling them when and where — or even whether — they can get medical treatment for their families.
Comment posted July 18, 2009 @ 12:06 pm
He is working towards friendship even with anti-american people like the president of venezuela . His efforts will certainly bring good returns in terms of business and peace alike
Comment posted July 18, 2009 @ 12:09 pm
I really hope obama can fix the health care system. i really really need health care.
Comment posted August 14, 2009 @ 10:37 am
Really Barack Obama is very much concentrated with health issues.Definitely it will give some fruitful result.
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Comment posted September 13, 2009 @ 6:03 pm
He is working towards friendship even with anti-american people like the president of venezuela . His efforts will certainly bring good returns in terms of business and peace alike..
Comment posted September 16, 2009 @ 11:35 am
I think pres. Obama should focus more on the financial crisis than the health care reform
Comment posted September 28, 2009 @ 5:26 pm
Finally, a health care reform. Health care and economics really depend from each other.
Comment posted September 29, 2009 @ 1:36 am
Health care reform is a joke….why can't Americans get the same coverage as our congressman…I'll tell you because I would have to pay for it…..
Comment posted October 23, 2009 @ 2:08 pm
Obama is the greatest leader, I hope these health care reforms help the people.
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Comment posted December 10, 2009 @ 2:12 am
The health care bill will only be beneficial if its approved soon.
Comment posted December 14, 2009 @ 5:49 am
Thanks For This post! it gives me many ideas!
Comment posted January 10, 2010 @ 9:16 am
Now it seems the health bill is passing its test at the house, its good.
Comment posted February 16, 2010 @ 5:19 pm
It is no doubt Obama will not rest until he has health care plan as a feather in his cap. The question is what is it going to REALLY cost us?
Comment posted March 26, 2010 @ 4:34 am
Republicans believe that the last thing the American people want is government telling them when and where — or even whether — they can get medical treatment for their families. modification solution
Comment posted May 2, 2010 @ 11:21 am
two principle targets of reform and made the connection between the financial and health care crises even more directly are the best part of it.
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Comment posted June 3, 2010 @ 6:08 am
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Comment posted June 11, 2010 @ 10:09 am
The number of uninsured Americans as two as two principle targets of reform and made the connection between the financial and health care crises even more directly which is direct correlation given in the blog to share.
Comment posted July 14, 2010 @ 7:14 pm
It is no doubt Obama will not rest until he has health care plan as a feather in his cap. The question is what is it going to REALLY cost us?
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Comment posted July 14, 2010 @ 7:15 pm
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Comment posted July 14, 2010 @ 7:19 pm
wo principle targets of reform and made the connection between the financial and health care crises even more directly are the best part of it.
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Comment posted July 21, 2010 @ 11:43 am
This is a most important issue nowadays and i 'm sure president obama will tackle this Health care issue.
Comment posted September 2, 2010 @ 3:38 pm
Hope the result is great. He postponed his visit to Indonesia because of this..
Comment posted September 14, 2010 @ 7:53 pm
There's mothing more important to a society than the healthcare of the people. We've just got to watch out for those motivated by profit trying to get in on the act.
Comment posted September 16, 2010 @ 2:09 am
I know Obama will do some great things for the US health care.
Comment posted October 9, 2010 @ 3:35 pm
While it's important that patient care comes first, it's also crucial to ensure that the state doesn't waste taxpayer's money. The private sector can help here, but there does need to be a structured balance between the two.
Trackback posted November 15, 2010 @ 3:24 pm
Obama: Health Care Reform a Top Priority « The Washington Independent…
Here at World Spinner we are debating the same thing……
Comment posted December 18, 2010 @ 11:35 am
Obama has been a great leader and he looks after all the problems of the citizens of US including the health as well.
Comment posted January 28, 2011 @ 11:26 am
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