The Live Bipartisan Health Care Summit--this coming Thursday morning 10am EST--of the president bringing together Republican and Democratic Congressional leaders, arrives to a TV (you can also watch it online, free, live & streaming right here at DownstateCafe.blogspot.com, or at http://drsforamerica.org/summit.php!) near you...
The New York Times has issued this verdict on current developments (read full article here):
"The president was right to invite Republican leaders to a health care summit this week. He should hear them out but also challenge them — directly — to come up with credible ideas that would both expand coverage for tens of millions of uninsured Americans and begin to rein in out-of-control medical costs. For too long they have been allowed to obstruct and demagogue.After delving into the pros & cons of "The President's Plan" for healthcare, just hot off the press this morning (and accessible for user-friendly browsing of its entirety & main points, at www.whitehouse.gov/health-care-meeting/proposal), the staff editorial ends,
And Mr. Obama will need to keep pushing in the days that follow and stiffen the spines of any wavering Democrats.
Most important, Mr. Obama needs to clearly explain the stakes to the American people. Reform is essential for Americans who have no health insurance. But it is just as crucial to the millions more who are just one layoff away from losing their coverage, and many millions more who watch with fear as the cost of care and their insurance premiums rise relentlessly.
"...Mr. Obama’s proposals provide a firm basis for both the Senate and House to move forward with comprehensive reforms. If the Republicans resort to filibusters to block passage, the Democrats should use a budget reconciliation procedure that requires only a majority vote for passage in the Senate.
This may be the last best chance for decades to come to reform the nation’s broken health care system. Mr. Obama and Democratic leaders should fight to win." (read full article here)
