Obama Cites GOP Officials in Call for Health Care Bill

Obama Cites GOP Officials in Call for Health Care Bill

By SHERYL GAY STOLBERG
Published: October 10, 2009

WASHINGTON — President Obama said Saturday that he saw an unprecedented consensus around Congressional plans to overhaul the nations health care system, citing the recent statements of a string of Republicans — most of them former elected officials — who have issued their own calls to action.

The distinguished former Congressional leaders who urged us to act on health insurance reform spoke of the historic moment at hand and reminded us that this moment will not soon come again, Mr. Obama said in his weekly address to the nation. They called on members of both parties to seize this opportunity to finally confront a problem that has plagued us for far too long.

The White House has been pressing Republicans who are in favor of Congressional action to issue statements, and on Saturday, another one — Chuck Hagel, the former senator from Nebraska — added his name to a list that already includes Bill Frist, the former Senate majority leader, Tommy Thompson and Louis Sullivan, both former health secretaries, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger of California and others.

In a statement circulated by the White House, Mr. Hagel wrote: 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.

But while the bills moving through Congress contain some Republican ideas, they are attracting little, if any, Republican support. In the Senate, the Finance Committee will vote Tuesday on what is regarded as the most bipartisan of the bills, yet only one Republican on the panel, Senator Olympia J. Snowe of Maine, has said she is considering voting for it. And even Ms. Snowe has not made up her mind.

In his address, Mr. Obama called the finance bill another milestone on what has been a long, hard road toward health insurance reform. He said the approach emerging on Capitol Hill includes the best ideas from Republicans and Democrats, and people across the political spectrum.

The bill does have one thing in its favor: the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office issued an analysis this week that found that it would reduce the federal deficit by $81 billion over 10 years. Thus it meets a key criterion set forth by Mr. Obama, who has said he will not sign any legislation that adds one dime to the deficit.

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[luchpockets]

Since the Republican Party, claims this health care reform to be your " WATERLOO ", make this plan solid one !

Time to make a positive change for the Country and enter a " Positive mark " in the History books !

So be strong !

[MrDanny0924]

I hope he knows that there are thousands of ilegals that will benifit of this and then us americans are going to winf=d up paying the bill. Real AMERICANS! god he has no decent thought process.

[a7xccp1313]

If hes a Socialist, why do people support him?

[snobak1]

at what point does the government have the right to steal my money to pay for your healthcare,and fine me if I refuse to get a policy.then there are the zero liability voters.This is the biggest lie confronting America,wait for the lines at the hospitals when there is no cost control and they shut down due to the influx of patients.

[lolzas]

What can you americans read the budget of your tax money. In my country its all a secret and they dont give a shit about us. Atleast 70% of our tax money go to people outside our borders. We work and all our money each month is wasted on bills and stuff.

[ulfenstyle]

lol...

[norwegianfisher]

(in squeaky voice) hah hah! hi there my naive children!

[whiteknight737]

"truchrishill" Let me give you a fact, watch closely, YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOUR TALKING ABOUT. I'm not racist at all, and I think this man also has no idea what he's doing. Anyone with a shred of common sense knows that. Common sense, go get some.

By the way we're all screwed.

[ulfenstyle]

oh look its mickey mouse in human form!

[truchrishill]

all these comments have an underlying tone to them....

Blah blah blah, i cant stand a black man has a higher IQ than me, blah blah, HES A COMMIE (which shows you have literally no educational background on governments), blah blah, im a rebpublican, because they have no ideas on how to fix shit, and i like america fucked up, blah blah