Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Health care concession riles left; right unmoved
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
Search
Search:
Health care concession riles left; right unmoved
By DAVID ESPO,AP Special Correspondent AP - Tuesday, August 18
WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama's weekend concession on a health care "government option" drew complaints from liberals and scarce interest from Republicans and other critics on Monday, a fresh sign of the daunting challenge in finding middle ground in an increasingly partisan political struggle.
ADVERTISEMENT
The White House insisted there had been no shift in position, adding the president still favors a federal option for the sale of health insurance. "The bottom line is this: Nothing has changed," said a memo containing suggested answers for administration allies to use if asked about the issue.
But some supporters of health care overhaul sounded less than reassured.
"You really can't do health reform" without allowing the government to compete with private insurers, said Howard Dean, a former Democratic Party chairman. "Let's not say we're doing health reform without a public option," he added in a slap at the administration's latest move.
His remarks were echoed by lawmakers as well as AFL-CIO President John Sweeney, who said the option was the only way to force "real competition" on the insurance industry.
Obama and his top aides signaled retreat over the weekend on proposals for a provision under which consumers could choose from health insurance policies sold by the federal government as well as those marketed by private companies. "All I'm saying is, though, that the public option, whether we have it or we don't have it, is not the entirety of health care reform," the president told a town hall-style audience in Grand Junction, Colo., on Saturday. "This is just one sliver of it, one aspect of it."
The government option has emerged as one of the most contentious elements of legislation taking shape in Congress, with critics saying it is a step toward a federal takeover of health care and supporters arguing it is essential to create competition with private firms.
Proposals for creation of nonprofit cooperative ventures have emerged as an alternative, but so far, neither liberals nor conservatives have shown great interest.
Obama made his remarks as he struggled to regain momentum for a health care overhaul that has generated controversy among Democrats and near unanimous opposition among Republicans. Recent polls show a lessening of support, and the administration and its allies were thrown on the defensive earlier this month when angry protesters turned up at widely publicized town hall events held by Democratic lawmakers.
Republicans ratcheted up the attacks during the day. Rep. John Boehner of Ohio, the House GOP leader, likened the administration to a school yard bully intent on stealing lunch money, and accused the nation's drug makers of "cutting a deal with the bully."
In a letter to Billy Tauzin, the head of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, Boehner said the industry had agreed to a deal with the White House "in hopes of securing favorable treatment and future profits."
PhRMA agreed to pick up no more than $80 billion in costs for health care overhaul over the next decade, under a deal with the White House. It also will spend as much as $150 million in the next few months on television ads to promote health care legislation.
Ken Johnson, senior vice president at PhRMA, said in response to Boehner's letter: "We have been working diligently for more than a year to advance bipartisan health care reform. We're proud of those efforts, and they are completely consistent with our core principals."
The bill faces numerous obstacles when lawmakers return to the Capitol after Labor Day.
In the House, where Democrats hold a 256-178 majority, passage of legislation will hinge on the ability of the administration and Democratic leaders to satisfy liberals who favor a robust government option and centrists who prefer the co-op approach.
Because they cannot realistically count on any Republican votes, the margin for error is reduced. At the same time, House leaders want to protect their rank-and-file centrists, who tend to come from swing districts, and whose victories in 2006 and 2008 helped give the party its large majority.
In a statement, Speaker Nancy Pelosi said, "There is strong support in the House for a public option," adding it is the best way "to lower costs, improve the quality of health care, ensure choice and expand coverage."
But the statement did not rule out legislation that lacks a government option.
There are similar Democratic divisions in the Senate, where the party controls 60 seats to 40 for the Republicans. A bipartisan group of six senators has been meeting for weeks on a possible compromise that would not include a government option. It is not clear whether they will be successful in reaching a final agreement.
While the president says he favors a bipartisan approach, he has also said it may ultimately be necessary for Democrats to produce a bill more to their own liking.
Jim Manley, spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, said the Nevada lawmaker "supports a public option" because it could keep insurance companies in check. "But he also knows that 60 votes will be needed to get anything done. Senator Reid recognizes there are different proposals on the table that could accomplish this goal," the spokesman said, a clear reference to the co-op alternative.
Dean made his remarks in interviews on NBC and CBS. He and Obama are not close, and the administration snubbed the former party chairman earlier this year when it did not invite him to be present when his successor was named.
"Leaving private insurance companies the job of controlling the costs of health care is like making a pyromaniac the fire chief," said Rep., Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y. Weiner is one of dozens of Democrats who favor creation of a so-called "single payer" approach under which the government would take over the health care system. For many of them, the government option represents a significant retreat.
Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., who chairs the Congressional Black Caucus, issued a statement that called the weekend administration statements deeply troubling. "The Congressional Black Caucus remains committed to ensuring that health reform is meaningful, and that means making sure that a public option is part of the package," she said.
The Senate Republican leader, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, issued a statement that emphasized other complaints about Obama's proposals.
"While both political parties believe we need to reform our health care system, particularly in the areas of cost and access, Americans are rightly skeptical about the administration's approach to overhauling everyone's health care and about the more than $1 trillion price tag. Moreover, Americans are concerned about funding new government programs through massive cuts to Medicare and taxes on small business," he said
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Sign in to recommend this article »
0 users recommend
Related Articles: World
Russia power plant accident kills 12, dozens missingAFP - Tuesday, August 18
Disney stunt performer dies during rehearsalAP - Tuesday, August 18
It's a howl: NYC artist compiles album of screamsAP - Tuesday, August 18
Health care concession riles left; right unmovedAP - Tuesday, August 18
Real IRA arms suspect poised for trial in LithuaniaAFP - Tuesday, August 18
Most Popular – World
Viewed
In death, as in life, Jackson surrounded by wackiness
Eternal resting spot next to Marilyn Monroe to be auctioned
Millions of salmon fail to turn up in Canada
Pandas could be extinct in 2-3 generations: report
Obamas marvel at Grand Canyon
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Tuesday, 18 August 2009 Iran chief judge hints at trials for prison abuse
Russia finds Arctic Sea ship, 'debriefing' crew
Huffington Post goes social with Facebook
Kenya losing 100 lions every year: conservation group
Iran police clash with protesters over daily's closure
White House changes email rules
Flintoff facing heavy burden as England omit KP
Russia power plant accident kills 10, dozens missing
Global stolen art database to trump traffickers
Mass rallies on last campaign day for Afghan poll
Foreign purchase of US securities surge
Peres poems turned to song on his 86th birthday
UK UFO sightings spiked when blockbusters released
New York manufacturing survey rebounds
Torture and execution of Iraqi gays on rise: HRW
UN's Ban welcomes Myanmar's release of American
| International
|
Costa Rican leader Arias recovers from swine flu
| International
|
World NGOs seek end to blocs in U.N. rights council
| International
|
Telecom operators hurt selling iPhones
Algeria woos investors to unlock tourism potential
| International
|
English Wikipedia hosts three millionth article
U.S. videogame sales down 29 percent in July
Russian dam disaster kills 10, another 62 missing
| International
|
Dell developing mobile devices for China Mobile
Struggling Sony Ericsson taps new head
Afghan attacks kill US civilian, service member
Obama warns Afghan victory not 'quick' nor 'easy'
Controllers: NTSB report on Hudson collision wrong
Donkeys traverse tough terrain with Afghan ballots
Crowley gets ovation from officers in California
Bomb on passenger truck kills 7 in NW Pakistan
SEC extends comment period on short-selling
Park Service says visits to national parks are up
NZ man seeks justice for brother at KRouge trial
2 strong quakes hit off Japan; no damages
Obama: VA care not affected by health overhaul
Suu Kyi's US 'guest' receives medical treatment
Indian PM says Pakistan militants planning fresh attacks
New NIH chief: Turn science into better care, fast
Supreme Court says Ga. man should get hearing
In Pa., Shinseki pledges to modernize VA system
US church leaders following up on Cuba storm aid
LA rolls out the red carpet for Project Runway
| Entertainment
|
Michael Jackson's dad says burial set for August 29: report
| Entertainment
|
Former politician Tom DeLay cast in Dancing show
| Entertainment
|
Comedian Steve Harvey joins 'Good Morning America'
Music Review: Third Eye Blind's latest a gem
Spain eyes total smoking ban in public places
Jarvi named orchestra chief in homeland Estonia
Record attendance at Sziget festival
Lady Gaga excited to visit 'sacred' Jerusalem
'School of Rock' set to open in Oklahoma
Time no barrier as Cropredy Fest rocks on and on
British bullfighter risking life and limb at 67
US weighs bolstering combat troops in Afghanistan
Russia power plant accident kills 12, dozens missing
South Korea rocket launch bound to rile the North
| International
|
IBM sees future of microchips in DNA
Hurricane Bill gains punch as first of Atlantic season
Rockets hit capital two days before Afghan vote
| International
|
Real IRA arms suspect poised for trial in Lithuania
China cancels Australia visit as relations sour
| International
|
US manufacturing index posts first growth in year
Struggling Sony Ericsson taps Nordberg as new head
Japan election campaign opens; voters eye change
| International
|
20 dead in Russia truck bomb attack: officials
Donkeys bring ballot boxes to Afghan mountains
40 percent of Twitter messages 'pointless babble': study
Gaza clashes reveal Hamas's complex struggle with radicals
Swedbank to raise cash to offset EEurope hit
Peace first, normal ties with Israel second: Mubarak
| International
|
Russia finds Arctic Sea ship, 'debriefing' crew
Former South Korean leader Kim Dae-jung dies
| International
|
Michael Jackson's 51st birthday to be his burial day: father
Struggling Sony Ericsson taps Nordberg as new head
US helicopters join Taiwan typhoon rescue efforts
Disney stunt performer dies during rehearsal
US Military: 2 mortar rounds hit Kabul
It's a howl: NYC artist compiles album of screams
Global weather celsius
Health care concession riles left; right unmoved
Radiohead offers new song online, but no EP
| Technology
|
Mini-sub finds human remains near Tongan ferry
GPS helps find 18th-century violin left in NY taxi
Campaigns begin for Japan election
Australia coach urges team to have Ashes 'fun'
Sotomayor on losing end in Ohio man's death appeal
AP NewsAlert
South Korea's Yang could become Tiger's Achilles heel
No injuries as Horizon plane runs off Wash. runway
Indian PM says Pakistan militants planning fresh attacks
Lockerbie bomber to drop appeal in British court
Floods hit camp holding Sri Lanka's war-displaced
Women activists condemn Afghan marriage law
Injured AP photographer in Baltimore hospital
Feds: Wash. company hired undocumented workers
Taiwan dollar flat as investors await more data
Seoul shares firm after loss;Samsung Elec, POSCO up
S.Korea bonds rise on U.S. lead, econ worries
Seoul shares open down on growing recovery worries
South Korea July dept store sales rise for 5th mth
Weak China energy demand could dent oil prices: CGES
Dell developing smart phone for China Mobile
Foreign purchase of US securities surge
Judge OKs Jackson deal, burial planned
| Entertainment
|
Mad Men premiere sets ratings record
| Entertainment
|
Kiss sets off Sonic Boom with Walmart
| Entertainment
|
Radiohead offers new song online, but no EP
| Entertainment
|
Motley Crue rolls on with sub for injured Tommy Lee
| Entertainment
|
Bow Wow making music with Lil Wayne's Cash Money
| Entertainment
|
Judge approves Michael Jackson merchandise deal
Tranquil Geneva grapples with crime surge
Spielberg wins funds to launch new studio
Unpublished Villa-Lobos scores found in Brazil
Judge okays Jackson deal, burial planned
"Mad Men" premiere sets ratings record
Motley Crue rolls on with sub for injured Tommy Lee
Judge approves merchandising deal
Radiohead offers new song online, but no EP
Kiss sets off "Sonic Boom" with Walmart
Israeli officials: New West Bank projects frozen
German economy boosted by ZEW survey
Sleep disorders linked to premature deaths: study
Iraqis find Iranian-made rockets after US attacked
Mousavi says government agents raped detainees
| International
|
Suicide attacks kill 12 before Afghan vote
GM signs binding agreement on Saab sale
Medvedev, Peres meet on Mideast tensions
Russia arrests eight 'Arctic Sea hijackers'
Israeli wine flows onto international shelves
Russia arrests eight over piracy on mystery ship
| International
|
Iran ready for nuclear talks with West
Irish Lisbon opponents attack fiscal cuts, markets
| International
|
Russia arrests eight suspected Arctic Sea hijackers
Islamist militant escapes from prison in Lebanon
Russia expels 2 Czech diplomats in spy row
| International
|
Russian dam rescuers unlikely to find 64 missing
| International
|
Scottish court lets Libyan drop Lockerbie appeal
| International
|
Apple probes iPhone explosion reports: EU
| Technology
|
Palm plans for commercial application store launch
| Technology
|
Qwest to shut off its wireless service October 31
| Technology
|
Stunt death is 3rd fatal accident at Disney World
US warns Americans in Kuwait to be vigilant
South Korea mourns dissident who became president
Obama seeks Egypt help in Mideast deadlock
Prosecutors say man stole 130M credit card numbers
Myanmar says US visit a 'success,' could boost ties
Huckabee says 2 states in Holy Land 'unrealistic'
South Koreans mourn death of Kim Dae-Jung
DEALTALK-Price, union trouble threaten AIG's Taiwan sale
6 more cases of botched cancer treatment at Pa. VA
Five Chinese firms on Fortune's 100 list
Taiwan's president defends handling of typhoon
HK's jobless rate sticks at near 4-year high
2 years probation for Fla. doctor who hid bullet
Bomb attack kills 7 in Kabul; UN workers wounded
Obama to meet with Egyptian president Tuesday
Sinopec completes China's biggest foreign takeover
Dell, China Mobile to develop smartphone
Lockerbie bomber allowed to drop appeal: court
Global Islamic group visits China after rioting
UN says 27 die in floods in Pakistan's northwest
Taiwan to invest $1.4 bln in renewable energy
Pakistan seizes aide to "dead" Taliban chief
Seoul shares gain; Samsung Elec, Hyundai Motor up =2
Seoul shares gain; Samsung Elec, Hyundai Motor up
Dictator's son sets sights on Indonesian politics
Asian competitors shadow German solar industry
Bollywood star says he will cut back on US visits
Celine Dion pregnant again: report
| Entertainment
|
DeLay hopes to show fancy footwork on dance floor
Redford to direct film on Lincoln assassination
| Entertainment
|
Ex-reality TV villain Omarosa enters Ohio seminary
Sam & Ruby unlikely pairing a match made in music
Miley Cyrus stalking suspect to appear in court
President to attend memorial for Walter Cronkite
'Avatar' site restored for fans seeking sneak peek
West puts Indian DJs into a spin
Rejected US Cambodian brings hip hop home
World War II: Where did combat start?
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights