Tuesday
Aug112009
Obama Responds To Health Care Reform Rumors
Tuesday, August 11, 2009 at 3:28PM
President Barack Obama attempted to quell rumors arising from the health care reform debate during a town hall meeting held in Portsmouth, New Hampshire Tuesday, saying that although he respected those who had disagreements, there has been a great deal of misinformation.
“Where we do disagree, let’s disagree on things that are real,” Obama said. “Not these wild misrepresentations that bear no resemblance to anything that’s actually been proposed.”
The President defended the public option, denying that it signaled a government takeover of the health care system.
“I do think that having a public option...would keep the insurance companies honest,” Obama said, explaining that the public option would provide a reasonable model that insurance companies could mimic in terms of cost.
Obama stressed that while he wanted action that would provide coverage for as many Americans as possible, he has not been pursuing a single-payer plan.
“For us to transition to a system like that I believe would be too disruptive,” the President said. “A lot of people who currently have employer based health care would find themselves dropped and they would have to go into an entirely new system that has not been set up yet. I would be concerned about the potential disruptiveness of that kind of transition.”
Obama also dismissed rumors of “death panels”, a term picked up by Conservatives such as former Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin to describe government officials who would decide whom to provide coverage for under a public system. The President said that the rumors emerged from an amendment in one of the drafts of health reform legislation that sought to expand medicare coverage to include consultation for end of life treatment, such as hospice care or drafting living wills.
The President also attempted to mitigate fears over the government rationing health care, stating that rationing is currently occurring through private insurance companies declining coverage.
“You will have not only the care you need, but the care that right now is being denied to you only if we pass health care reform,” Obama said.
Obama poked fun at some of the more colorful rumors, pointing to the conclusion from various news outlets that the White House’s request for the public to send them rumors they have received via email was secretly the means through which to collect an enemies list.
“Come on, guys,” the President mused.
In recent weeks, the debate over health care reform has reached a fever pitch, with raucous crowds haranguing public appearances by members of Congress. However, the President stated that reform would nevertheless be passed by 2009.
“Where we do disagree, let’s disagree on things that are real,” Obama said. “Not these wild misrepresentations that bear no resemblance to anything that’s actually been proposed.”
The President defended the public option, denying that it signaled a government takeover of the health care system.
“I do think that having a public option...would keep the insurance companies honest,” Obama said, explaining that the public option would provide a reasonable model that insurance companies could mimic in terms of cost.
Obama stressed that while he wanted action that would provide coverage for as many Americans as possible, he has not been pursuing a single-payer plan.
“For us to transition to a system like that I believe would be too disruptive,” the President said. “A lot of people who currently have employer based health care would find themselves dropped and they would have to go into an entirely new system that has not been set up yet. I would be concerned about the potential disruptiveness of that kind of transition.”
Obama also dismissed rumors of “death panels”, a term picked up by Conservatives such as former Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin to describe government officials who would decide whom to provide coverage for under a public system. The President said that the rumors emerged from an amendment in one of the drafts of health reform legislation that sought to expand medicare coverage to include consultation for end of life treatment, such as hospice care or drafting living wills.
The President also attempted to mitigate fears over the government rationing health care, stating that rationing is currently occurring through private insurance companies declining coverage.
“You will have not only the care you need, but the care that right now is being denied to you only if we pass health care reform,” Obama said.
Obama poked fun at some of the more colorful rumors, pointing to the conclusion from various news outlets that the White House’s request for the public to send them rumors they have received via email was secretly the means through which to collect an enemies list.
“Come on, guys,” the President mused.
In recent weeks, the debate over health care reform has reached a fever pitch, with raucous crowds haranguing public appearances by members of Congress. However, the President stated that reform would nevertheless be passed by 2009.
Non-Profit Calls For Inclusion Of End-Of-Life Care In Health Care Reform
Compassion & Choices, a nonprofit organization with a focus on securing patient’s choice to end-of-life care, made the case Wednesday for the inclusion of the controversial practice in the health care reform debate.
“It’s time to go beyond fearful charges and speak calmly and rationally. Compassion & Choices is helping to move our nation’s health care debate beyond misinformation about ‘death panels’ and ‘killing granny,’” said Compassion & Choices President Barbara Coombs during a symposium in Washington, D.C.
“Too many people suffer needlessly in their dying and we as a nation must do better,” Coombs added.
Jacques D’Ambroise, ballet dancer, choreographer, and founder of the National Dance Institute, was also in attendance. The renowned dancer discussed his late wife, Carolyn George, and the dignity that end-of-life care gave to his wife’s final days. D’Ambroise told the crowd that he expected the same treatment someday.
Lisa Osborne, the daughter of Linda Fleming, who was the first person in the state of Washington to utilize the Death with Dignity Act, said her mother had a very brief struggle with pancreatic cancer.
“One of the things that happens with pancreatic cancer is most people don’t have symptoms until the cancer is so far along that they can’t do anything about it. And it’s a very aggressive cancer,” Osborne said.
She explained the Death with Dignity Act in the state of Washington said there are certain conditions that have to be met before someone can utilize the Act.
“More people apply to be able use it than are actually approved,” she said.