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Push for healthcare reform quotes Obama

Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor November 18, 2008 09:42 AM


A broad coalition for healthcare reform is launching a new TV ad today in Washington, D.C., that uses President-elect Barack Obama's own words to step up the pressure on the new administration to tackle the thorny issue -- despite the economic downturn.

"The question isn't how we can afford to focus on healthcare. The question is how we can afford not to," Obama is shown saying at a rally.

The ad from Health Care for All then says on screen: "Congratulations President-elect Obama."

"Because in order to fix our economic crisis and rebuild our middle class, we need to fix our healthcare system, too," Obama is shown saying.

"We agree," it says on screen.

"It's clear that the time has come right now to solve this problem," Obama continues.

"We're ready," the ad concludes on screen.

The coalition is among several labor, business, and other groups pushing for a universal healthcare plan as one of the first orders of business when Obama takes office in January. While the economic nose-dive might discourage action because of the cost of healthcare reform, proponents say it could actually help drive the recovery -- an argument that Obama himself made.

Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus unveiled his blueprint last week, and he and Senator Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts could introduce legislation early next year.

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Odious. Health Care for All is the worst form of health industry lobbying cloaking itself with astroturf.

Posted by Mike November 18, 08 02:15 PM
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Exactly, Mike. Should be called Compulsory Private Insurance for All (except for the poor, who the health industry so generously leave to the govt). Does Obama have the courage/vision to stand up to insurance companies and implement a single-payer system? I won't hold my breath.

Posted by insurance ain't healthcare November 18, 08 03:17 PM
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If everyone has healthcare, demand will go up, and supply is stagnant, won't medical prices go up and just take more of our money?

Posted by seefranco November 18, 08 04:31 PM
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At Health Care for America Now, we are thinking of this as a message to Congress, really. Obama is fully behind health care reform, but we've got to remind Congress that Obama got elected because of it.

Posted by Jason Rosenbaum November 18, 08 05:27 PM
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