Posted on 07/22/2009 3:56:33 PM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
_______________________________________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 22, 2009
Excerpts of the President's Opening Remarks at Tonight's News Conference
-As Prepared for Delivery-
That is why Ive said that even as we rescue this economy from a full-blown crisis, we must rebuild it stronger than before. And health insurance reform is central to that effort.
This is not just about the 47 million Americans who have no health insurance. Reform is about every American who has ever feared that they may lose their coverage if they become too sick, or lose their job, or change their job. Its about every small business that has been forced to lay off employees or cut back on their coverage because it became too expensive. And its about the fact that the biggest driving force behind our federal deficit is the skyrocketing cost of Medicare and Medicaid.
So let me be clear: if we do not control these costs, we will not be able to control our deficit. If we do not reform health care, your premiums and out-of-pocket costs will continue to skyrocket. If we do not act, 14,000 Americans will continue to lose their health insurance every single day. These are the consequences of inaction. These are the stakes of the debate were having right now.
I realize that with all the charges and criticisms being thrown around in Washington, many Americans may be wondering, "Whats in this for me? How does my family stand to benefit from health insurance reform?"
Tonight I want to answer those questions. Because even though Congress is still working through a few key issues, we already have agreement on the following areas:
If you already have health insurance, the reform were proposing will provide you with more security and more stability. It will keep government out of health care decisions, giving you the option to keep your insurance if youre happy with it. It will prevent insurance companies from dropping your coverage if you get too sick. It will give you the security of knowing that if you lose your job, move, or change your job, you will still be able to have coverage. It will limit the amount your insurance company can force you to pay for your medical costs out of your own pocket. And it will cover preventive care like check-ups and mammograms that save lives and money.
If you dont have health insurance, or are a small business looking to cover your employees, youll be able to choose a quality, affordable health plan through a health insurance exchange a marketplace that promotes choice and competition Finally, no insurance company will be allowed to deny you coverage because of a pre-existing medical condition.
I have also pledged that health insurance reform will not add to our deficit over the next decade and I mean it.
I understand how easy it is for this town to become consumed in the game of politics to turn every issue into running tally of whos up and whos down. Ive heard that one Republican strategist told his party that even though they may want to compromise, its better politics to "go for the kill." Another Republican Senator said that defeating health reform is about "breaking" me.
So let me be clear: This isnt about me. I have great health insurance, and so does every Member of Congress. This debate is about the letters I read when I sit in the Oval Office every day, and the stories I hear at town hall meetings This debate is not a game for these Americans, and they cannot afford to wait for reform any longer. They are counting on us to get this done. They are looking to us for leadership. And we must not let them down. We will pass reform that lowers cost, promotes choice, and provides coverage that every American can count on. And we will do it this year.
Aha, someone bribed the TelePrompTer, eh?
My God, I wish you could ban 0bama.
“This isnt about me. I have great health insurance, and so does every Member of Congress.”
How so totally arrogant of him!!! He’s got good private insurance the rest of America can just take the federal offered pablum.
Hey Obama, can we have what you’re having????
“So let me be clear: This isnt about me. I have great health insurance, and so does every Member of Congress.”
LMAOROFL!!!!!!!!
Yeah. I would love to see him ‘ZOTTED’ clean OUT of the borders of this country.
“And health insurance reform is central to that effort.”
Now it’s health insurance reform? If it’s only reforming insurance, why the need for elderly death counseling and overseer boards to determine what patients get what care? Changing the title doesn’t change the fact that it’s still socialized medicine.
So 14,000 people a day x 365 days = more than 5 million people a year. Since the 90s, I’ve been hearing this “45 million uninsured people” quote. Should be over 50 million by now....unless they made the figure up out of thin air.
I could watch this video of Carnahan being heckled over and over again. At the end, somebody asks him why Congres won’t be covered by its own plan.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBJBcNFMIWc
This statement alone should have ordinary citizens burning that whole town to the ground...DISGUSTING!
This has to be satire, right? If its true, I'm about ready to scream out the window, "I'm mad as hell and I can't take it anymore!"
I hate that phrase, “let me be clear.”
The big question is will the press let him get by with this pack of lies. I’m skeptical.
Soooo...who writes this fools speeches???? Let's see if anyone asks if they are going to GIVE UP THAT "GREAT HEALTH INSURANCE?"
“I hate that phrase, let me be clear.”
Not clear enough?
LLS
I am sick of the obama, look at me I am the greatest thing you ever saw show! It’s bad enough that it’s taking up good programming space on one channel but the obama, look at me I am the greatest thing you ever saw show is broadcast on several channels. Yuck!
Thank God the obama, look at me I am the greatest thing you ever saw show isn’t syndicated and there wont be any reruns. I am lucky and also very grateful to have direct TV with lots of other channels to watch so I don’t have to watch even one minute of the obama, look at me I am the greatest thing you ever saw show!
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