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White House Pushes Former GOP Officials' Support for Health Care Reform
October 10, 2009 12:40 PM
The White House continued to roll out endorsements from former Republican officials for health care reform Saturday, releasing statements from former Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., and surgeon generals from the administrations of Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W Bush, with the Democratic National Committee introducing a new TV ad to run nationally making the same basic argument.
The goal is to paint current Republican officials as hyper-partisan obstructionists by contrasting them with former GOP officials and other Republicans from outside Washington, D.C. who have broadly endorsed health care reform efforts.
Complicating the argument is the fact that some of the GOPers in question have expressed serious differences with key particulars of the health care reform proposals Democrats in Congress have unveiled.
"Its not surprising that they would" have differences with bill specifics, White House deputy communications director Dan Pfeiffer told ABC News. "There are a number of substantive issues still being worked out. But they believe we are headed in the right direction and urging their party to work constructively to seize the moment and address this big challenge."
President Obama, in his weekly address Saturday, cited expressions of hope for a bipartisan solution from California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, former Republican (now Independent) New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, former Republican Senate Majority Leaders Bob Dole, R-Kan., and Dr. Bill Frist, R-Tenn., President George H.W. Bush's Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Louis Sullivan, President George W. Bush's Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson.
"These distinguished leaders understand that health insurance reform isn’t a Democratic issue or a Republican issue, but an American issue that demands a solution," President Obama said. "Still, there are some in Washington today who seem determined to play the same old partisan politics, working to score political points, even if it means burdening this country with an unsustainable status quo."
Today, Dr. Antonia Novello, the surgeon general from 1990-1993, and Dr. Richard Carmona, the surgeon general from 2002-2006, joined two surgeon generals from the administration of President Bill Clinton, Dr. David Satcher and Dr. Joycelyn Elders, to issued a statement saying that "we have seen first-hand that the current health care system is unsustainable. Meaningful reform is vital to improving the health of our nation. We need to have reform that prioritizes prevention, preventive care and health literacy to encourage healthier lifestyles and we must also lower costs in order to make quality health care affordable for every single person who needs it. The approaches that Congress is considering, will help achieve these goals and we urge members of Congress from both sides of the aisle to work together to achieve real reform to improve the health of our nation.”
In a statement released Saturday morning, Hagel said, “Right now in this country, we have the best opportunity we’ve had in recent history to begin to create real health care reform that will expand coverage for those who don’t have it and lower costs for those who do. ... The Congress and the administration are working on bipartisan, practical solutions to improve our health care system. I urge all members of Congress to put aside their narrow partisan differences and seize this moment for health care reform. We will fail our country if we do not succeed."
The Democratic National Committee today unveiled a TV ad to begin running nationally Monday sharing broad sentiments of support for health care reform efforts from Dole, Frist, Schwarzenegger and Thompson.
Dole recently said that "the American people have waited decades and if this moment passes us by, it may be decades more before there is another opportunity. The current approaches suggested by the Congress are far from perfect, but they do provide some basis on which Congress can move forward and we urge the joint leadership to get together for America’s sake." Dole added that "constantly saying no" is not the appropriate position for GOP leaders.
But as Republican aides in the Senate point out, the devil -- as always -- is in the details.
On Fox News Channel's "Your World With Neil Cavuto" on Oct. 9, Dole said Republicans are "not going to buy on to all the excise taxes that Sen. Baucus put on the bill. It’s going to drive insurance companies out of business. We believe in the private sector."
Frist told Time's Karen Tumulty that "I would end up voting for it. As leader, I would take heat for it. ... That's what leadership is all about."
But on Oct. 6 he seemed to backtrack, telling CNBC's "Squawk Box" that “We’ve got five bills on the Senate. ... Right now, in the shape that each of those are in, I wouldn’t vote for any of them.”
Thompson said in a statement with former House Majority Leader Dick Gephardt, D-Mo., "Failure to reach an agreement on health reform this year is not an acceptable option.”
They added: "Clearly, there are some issues that remain troublesome and unresolved in the Senate Finance Committee’s bill, but there are opportunities to debate these issues further as Congress moves in both Houses toward enactment of health reform this session. Differences in approach among committees in the Senate and House should not obscure the fact that there is also substantial common ground and compatible provisions between the Senate Finance Committee bill, the Senate HELP reform bill and H.R. 3200 in the House of Representatives."
And Schwarzenegger has said, "The House originally proposed fully funding the expansion with federal dollars, but due to cost concerns, members decided to shift a portion of these expansion costs to states. I will be clear on this particular proposal: If Congress thinks the Medicaid expansion is too expensive for the federal government, it is absolutely unaffordable for states. Proposals in the Senate envision passing on more than $8 billion in new costs to California annually – crowding out other priority or constitutionally required state spending and presenting a false choice for all of us. I cannot and will not support federal health care reform proposals that impose billions of dollars in new costs on California each year.”
- jpt
October 10, 2009 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (179)
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"surgeons general" not "surgeon generals"
Posted by: AJ | Oct 12, 2009 1:37:02 PM
The fact that our insurance premiums go up much higher than the rate of inflation every year is clearly ignored by the health insurance industry as their version of additional 'tax'.
Our premium has doubled in the last 5 years for less coverage and higher deductibles.
Posted by: Lydia | Oct 12, 2009 12:45:47 PM
A public option is absolutely necessary to keep insurance premiums down for all of us. The insurance companies have no real competition without one.
Posted by: Lydia | Oct 12, 2009 12:41:17 PM
Give me a P
Give me a U
Give me a B
Give me a L
Give me a I
Give me a C
Give me a O
Give me a P
Give me a T
Give me a I
Give me a O
Give me a N
What does that spell?!?
No more private insurance industries profiting off the life and death of Americans.
Posted by: Sansom | Oct 12, 2009 12:20:25 PM
Baucus would kill medicine.
Posted by: drjohn
'chicken little' speaks, the sky is falling..
put this gem in the drawer with the 'death panels'
Posted by: reggie | Oct 12, 2009 3:23:10 AM
They are making money at a record pace, and our country is in a recession. Unemployement keeps going up
Posted by: wheresmymoney
why don't you ask yer republican buddies why they did that to america?
Repubs like to ignore the last 8 years like they didn't happen
Posted by: Reggie | Oct 12, 2009 3:19:20 AM
Dole wants the ad about him pulled. Said it is misleading. Ya THINK???
Posted by: wheresmymoney | Oct 11, 2009 3:53:44 PM
As we are collectively deflowered by health insurance, health care, pharma and banking executives who have paid our elected madams and p°mps in Congress richly for the privilege, the least they could do is send us a little thank you note (instead of claim rejection form-letters, jacked-up premium bills and interest rate hike info buried at the bottom of some general conditions printout).
Posted by: Robin | Oct 11, 2009 3:49:52 PM
These folks spend all day trying to figure out the next piece of disinformation to keep us distracted, while their bosses leaf through their private island and executive jet brochures
*************
And they slipped 10 in the Defense bill. This should be CRIMINAL. How do we get it passed that each item must STAND ALONE and voted on?
Posted by: wheresmymoney | Oct 11, 2009 3:37:07 PM
Once again bought and paid for....there are 6 health care industry lobbyists for EVERY member of Congress. 500 health care industry lobbyists are former Congressional staffers. Baucus'(our fearless Democrat Ctee. Chairman, ah yes) chief advisor was previously EVP of Public Affairs for the largest player in the health care industry. These folks spend all day trying to figure out the next piece of disinformation to keep us distracted, while their bosses leaf through their private island and executive jet brochures.
Posted by: Robin | Oct 11, 2009 3:27:23 PM
Only 29% of voters are willing to pay higher taxes so all Americans can be provided with health insurance.
Fifty-nine percent (59%) are opposed to paying more in taxes to provide universal health care, up five points since May. Twelve percent (12%) aren’t sure.
******************
It seems you keep leaving out contradictions. Where WILL they get the money? If this is SHOVED through, people are going to be VERY UNHAPPY with their taxes skyrocketing.
You might also take a look at the Baucus bill (the portion that is online). Page 119 states 22.5 Billion will be CUT from Medicare. IF the elderly hear this (which they may not because the MSM will not report on it) they will be TOTALLY against it.
The bottom line is this government is spending like there is no tomorrow. They are making money at a record pace, and our country is in a recession. Unemployement keeps going up. And they spend. They need to learn control and budget their own house before they come to mine.
Posted by: wheresmymoney | Oct 11, 2009 3:27:16 PM
Once again, here are October poll results showing support for the PUBLIC OPTION.
CBS News: "The much-debated 'public option' --a health insurance plan like Medicare administered by the government –- still gets majority support."
GOV’T HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN
Favor 62%
Oppose 31
Quinnipiac: American voters “support key parts of the plan, including 61 - 34 percent for giving people the option of a government health insurance plan that competes with private plans…”
Pew: “Would you favor or oppose… A government health insurance plan to compete with private health insurance plans”
55 Favor
38 Oppose
Even Rasmussen, choice pollster of conservatives, said: “46% favor the creation of a government-sponsored non-profit health insurance option that people could choose instead of a private health insurance plan. Thirty-seven percent (37%) are opposed.”
Posted by: Numeros | Oct 11, 2009 3:07:25 PM
The first question finds that 46% favor the creation of a government-sponsored non-profit health insurance option that people could choose instead of a private health insurance plan. Thirty-seven percent (37%) are opposed.
Posted by: wheresmymoney | Oct 11, 2009 1:54:13 PM
So now you admit Rasmussen said only 37% oppose the PUBLIC OPTION.
Furthermore, none of the people who made the following false claims about support for the PUBLIC OPTION mentioned any additional IF scenarios:
the president should start listening to the American People who in poll after poll have rejected the "public option"
Posted by: reaganfan | Oct 10, 2009 10:33:54 PM
Gallup, Rasmussen, and EVERY OTHER POLL I've seen shows that the MAJORITY of (well over 50%) Americans are AGAINST the Public Option
Posted by: DevilInTheDetails | Oct 10, 2009 2:16:36 PM
61% do NOT want the public option. Polls show that the majority does not!
Posted by: mom | Oct 10, 2009 2:10:01 PM
Posted by: Numeros | Oct 11, 2009 3:04:06 PM
The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Sunday shows that 32% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Thirty-eight percent (38%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -6.
Posted by: Fascist Hyena | Oct 11, 2009 9:40:00 AM
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I just plotted the entire set of Rasmussen ‘Approval Index rating’ data.
If it were a typical stock a chartist would say that it has almost completed a ‘picture perfect’ ‘Inverted Head and Shoulders’ pattern.
This would mean that it has seen its bottom (-14 on Aug 24) and is in a bullish phase.
It is almost at ‘resistance’ right now (-3 on Sep 14). If it breaks this resistance (and if behaves like a stock), it will have completed the pattern, and would likely go to +10 (the previous high) in the next 3 months. It would then go towards +28 (last seen on Jan 21) over the next several months afterwards.
I’ve never thought about these polls as behaving like stocks. I guess we are going see how representative of a stock Barack’s ‘Approval Index rating’ is.
Posted by: ErnestNM | Oct 11, 2009 2:56:59 PM
...the health care lobby has spent 380 000 000 in the last few months in lobbying
*******************
Didn't the President say HE was going to stop lobbying??
Posted by: wheresmymoney | Oct 11, 2009 2:30:11 PM
Bought and paid for...the health care lobby has spent 380 000 000 in the last few months in lobbying, ads and campaign contributions to kill meaningful health care reform, especially the 'single payer' extension of Medicare coverage to all citizens that a majority of Americans want. Some of that goes to those 'ordinary citizens' most vociferous on this post and elsewhere who are paid to distort and confuse. Let's not be naive here - follow the money.
Posted by: Robin | Oct 11, 2009 2:13:45 PM
The fear of being forced to change insurance coverage can be seen in results from a pair of survey questions.
The first question finds that 46% favor the creation of a government-sponsored non-profit health insurance option that people could choose instead of a private health insurance plan. Thirty-seven percent (37%) are opposed.
The second question asked about the creation of a public option if it encouraged companies to drop private health insurance coverage for their workers. Given that possibility, support for the public option falls to 29%, and opposition rises to 58%.
Even if it encourages employers to drop private health insurance for their workers, 51% of Democrats still support the public option. Eighty-two percent (82%) of Republicans and 61% of voters not affiliated with either party are opposed.
*********************
O.K. You are OMITTING facts.
*************************
Thirty-three percent (33%) of voters say new spending for health care reform is more important. But 54% rate middle class tax cuts as the priority over more health care spending. Thirteen percent (13%) aren’t sure.
One more Rasmussen I thought was interesting.
Posted by: wheresmymoney | Oct 11, 2009 1:54:13 PM
Numeros - Since when do you get the truth from the left-wing biased media?? I saw the interviews they are talking about and NONE of the Republicans "endorsed" O'Bama's healthcare plan!!
Posted by: M. Summer | Oct 11, 2009 7:34:12 AM
You are very confused, M. Summer. I was quoting from polls, not from the media. I was responding to claims that the American people do not support the PUBLIC OPTION. I was not talking about Obama’s healthcare plan, nor was I talking about endorsements from Republicans.
Posted by: Numeros | Oct 11, 2009 1:33:32 PM
Numerous - There is no 37% in the poll. Let's not twist the facts.
Posted by: wheresmymoney | Oct 11, 2009 11:48:21 AM
I am not twisting anything; I quoted directly from Rasmussen regarding the PUBLIC OPTION. Read that again: the PUBLIC OPTION.
Do you even understand what the PUBLIC OPTION is? You are confusing the health care reform plan with the PUBLIC OPTION. Read what you quoted from Rasmussen, wheresmymoney. That poll was about “the health care reform plan proposed by President Obama and congressional Democrats.” That is a different topic from the Rasmussen poll I quoted regarding the PUBLIC OPTION.
Here again is paragraph 7 from the Rasmussen article called “Fear of Losing Private Health Insurance Trumps 'Public Option'” released October 4th, 2009:
“The first question finds that 46% favor the creation of a government-sponsored non-profit health insurance option that people could choose instead of a private health insurance plan. Thirty-seven percent (37%) are opposed.”
Posted by: Numeros | Oct 11, 2009 1:30:19 PM
Are you ready to spend $ 13,000 to $ 20,000 for your health insurance? Is it OK for people like Olympia Snowe, Max Baucus, Ben Nelson, or Mike Enzi to pick your pocket for campaign contributions every time you or your employer pays your insurance premium? Are you willing to give up your Medicare so that politicians like Jim DeMint can buy shiny new jet planes. That will be the wave of the future unless we get health insurance reform with a "robust" public option, such as allowing people buy insurance from Medicare.
***************************
If you look up the vote on 10 shiny new planes, on the DEFENSE BILL you will find that the DEMOCRATS passed the bill. Republicans voted AGAINST.
************************
Is it OK for people like Olympia Snowe, Max Baucus, Ben Nelson, or Mike Enzi to pick your pocket for campaign contributions every time you or your employer pays your insurance premium?
*******************
Baucus is a DEMOCRAT that WROTE the latest bill. Why are you blaming everything on the GOP? Your examples are the PERFECT reasons we do NOT want GOVERNMENT RUN HEALTHCARE! No one argues there needs to be reform, but they can begin by letting the insurance companies cross state lines (as the government option will obviously do). Cut off tort reform and lobbying. Let Doctor's have imput in the bills instead of a bunch of elitists that have never run a BUSINESS in their life. If you think they can balance a check book, 1.4 trillion deficit this year already, is not a good argument. It is a real shame that I am FORCED to trust my money with a TAX CHEAT.
Posted by: wheresmymoney | Oct 11, 2009 1:08:17 PM
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