Obama slams 'outrageous myths' about health care
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/POLITICS/08/22/obama.health.care/art.obama.health.afp.gi.jpg caption=" President Obama talks about health care reform Thursday in Washington."]WASHINGTON (CNN) - Facing a recent erosion of public support for health-care overhaul, President Obama lashed out at his opponents Saturday for spreading "outrageous myths" on the Internet, television, and at town hall forums.
Republican leaders, in turn, said it was Obama who is guilty of playing "fast and loose with the facts."
They repeated their assertion that the president's proposed government-funded public health insurance option would destroy the current private insurance-based system.
"I'm glad that so many are engaged," Obama said in his weekly radio address. But it should "be an honest debate, not one dominated by willful misrepresentations and outright distortions, spread by the very folks who would benefit the most by keeping things exactly as they are."
Obama emphasized that, contrary to the assertions of many, illegal immigrants will not get health insurance under a reform plan.
"That idea has never even been on the table," he said.
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Republican Rep. Tom Price of Georgia had a different take.
"The plan being promoted by the White House would give Washington the power to make highly personal medical decisions on behalf of patients - on behalf of you," Price, a former physician, said in the weekly GOP address.
Congressman Price, playing fast and loose AGAIN, not mentioning that the 'highly personal medical decisions' that he speaks of are already being made for you by his buddies....THE INSURANCE COMPANIES!!
BARACK. YOU ARE A LIAR.
You denied the death panel clause, yet a week later the senate has said they pulled the language out of the bill. A bill that the senate has not written.
You people lie constantly.
GOVERMENT needs to stay out of our pockets.
It is only another chance for corruption and stealing the american peoples money.
You can not fix the economy and you send like a 17 year old hooker.
You just admitted you underestimated the new deficits by 2 trillion.
You YELLED at President Bush for 5.5 trillion added to the national debt in 8 years.
You are adding 2 trillion to the nationl debt in the first year alone. You are adding 2 trillion in year 2 and 2 trillion in year 3. You will be at 8 trillion additional debt by the end of year 4. You are a liar.
STAY OUT OF OUR HEALTHCARE.
85% of people say their healthcare is OK.
that is 280 Million americans. LEAVE IT ALONE YOU THIEF.
These Insurance Companies set up their World Headquarters in various Red States with low populations for this very reason,so when the attack came they could buy the vote.The current system stinks and the voice of the majority is again ignored.
TOM YOU ARE A LIAR. YOU ARE PROBABLY NOT CANADIAN.
THE NEW President of the Canadian Medical Association has said that the Canadacare is broke and busted. She has called for immediate overhaul and the induction and immediate introduction of private health care.
The Prime leader of the European Parliament has questioned in the press why would the US mess with a great system.
Our System is THE BEST in the world. OUR doctors and nurses are the best. Our researchers are the best. Our drug companies are the best.
STOP SCREWING UP OUR COUNTRY BARACK.
YOU are NOT american and you do not believe IN AMERICA.
By the way all those that would blame the GOP, please get a clue.
The Democrats are stopping this not just the republicans.
You have 60 Senators.
Ask yourself why they are opposed to the President.
Why does LIAR Harry reid try to lower the vote to 51.
Why CANT he get the votes.
Because he is a liar. You people are too stupid to read the 1000 pages and see for yourself.
READ IT. I HAVE.
Belle, I saw the lady who is at the forefront of this misinformation on Jon Stewart, and she was reading STRAIGHT from HR3200...funny thing was..what she was reading and what she was saying it said were completely different. The difference? What she wanted to read in it.....
And I really hope you were fighting this hard for people to read the so-called and ironically named PATRIOT ACT!! Wanna talk about UNCONSTITUTIONAL!! Yet, it happened.....took away civil rights...just like some socialist country from the past...where was that?...hmmmmmmmm....oh yeah I remember now........
NAZI GERMANY!!
Obama is the myth, and the mistake.
Limbaugh said on his radio show that no matter what the health care proposals say, they will result in less money available for health care.
"It will forever transform the relationship between Americans," he said. "We will instantly become rivals. We're going to become competitors vying against each other for precious health care dollars."
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And my ability to compete against multi millionaire Rush Limbaugh at this very moment is somehow greater than it would be with the kind of insurance all federal employees and Congressmen have? Come on, Rush, there isn't a pill you can't afford to buy out of your pocket change that I wouldn't have to float a note at the bank to obtain. You are right about one thing. It may very well forever transform the relationship between Americans. Medical care will no longer be something only money can buy, where the rich will live and the poor will die.
The Hillbillies may fall for your lies, but anyone with ANY common sense can see right thru your Republican regime.
All I can say to you Mr President, just keep on fighting these false rumors about health care.
FOR HEALTH CARE YES WE CAN!
Do not listen to his (Obama's) myths and "scare tatics."
Its too bad the GOP-corporate slime machine seems to have Obama on the defensive over health care reform
It should have been the other way around.
First of all why are all the people thats being shown that are against this health care reform just whites at least thats all i see i know there are blacks out there too thats senoir citizens, but all i see is older whites. Second of all why does a lot of faith-based groups support the president on reforming health care do anyone of you on this blog think that faith based groups will support anyone thats crooked and a liar and deceptive and they know it. They knows that the bible tells us to help the poor and the less fortune because GOD wants us to prosper and BE IN GOOD HEALTH even as our soul prospers! the only ones thats against helping the poor and the less fortunate ones, are the selfish ones out there and the ones thats against it for political gains.
How about this myth: It's the republicans stalling health reform, and it has become a partisan issue.
The fact: There is bipartisan support, dems and republicans versus the liberals.
Myth: Americans want this kind of health reform. The protesters are a fringe group of wacky conservative loons.
Fact: The clear majority don't approve of the health reform bill, and the clear majority disapprove the way Obama is handling health care reform.
Myth: Our economy and our government can handle this, all the while, private insurance companies will do fine, just like the US Postal Service vs UPS, etc.
Fact: Yes, the private sector should do OK, but our government can't handle it, and we will stand to lose money from it. Case in point: the US Postal Service. UPS does great, but USPS lost billions last year, and is shutting down locations, so why try to run something fifteen times greater?
I'm also watching these theatrics from Canada and all I have to say is that I didn't know how gullable(sp?) a lot of American's are to believe that Canada's health system isn't good.
I've had 2 premature children and quite a few ailments including pre-cancerous cells on my cervix found on my last yearly physical. To cure me of my pre-cancer took only a 20 minute procedure and I paid NOTHING out of pocket, nor did I have to fill in any forms or wait too long for the procedure. Now I'm 100% healthy and here for my children. And in case you're wondering, I'm a single mom with a 17 year old son and a 2 year old daughter making less than $55,000 a year and own my own home and car. The taxes up here can't be that bad now.
What makes me laugh is that I read soooo many stories of people being told by a doctor that they need something done but then an INSURANCE COMPANY will prolong the process by second guessing what a DOCTOR has recommended or not covering what the patient needs until months of fighting/appeals.
I'm sorry but anyone that thinks that this is good doesn't get out much. From what I've read, I'm sure a lot of companies purposely want patients to "expire" before all the appeals and paperwork to get treatment go through just so that no money will have to be paid out. It's just an observation but what do I know. Lol.
Oh.... and that lady I've read about that went to the States to have her cancer treated because the wait here was too long - I don't know what the whole story is there but my friend wanted gastric bypass surgery and didn't want to wait to get it done so she too went to the States. This may be so, but our healthcare system PAID for her operation in the great ol USA!! LOL! Now why wouldn't our system pay for someone dying of cancer when they would pay for someone who was merely overweight? LOL!!!!
If Obama doesn't like outrageous myths, he should stop telling them!
For profit hospitals, for profit insurance. Figure it out.
I have read about 1/3 of the health care bill and what a mess. Obama says you can keep your health care plan if you want to. This is BS because you employer and health insurance dicide on the plan. If your employer goes toa different health care provider you don't keep the plan you wanted. If you think a business that needs to make a profit can compete a non profit plan then you need help. All Obama want's to do is look good about everything he says.
Mr. President
I know for sure we need health care improvements. My out of pocket payments are going though the roof. And the amount coming out of my check for the insurance is even going higher every year. With all of this I don't want to be part of a single payer health care system. I don't want to be forced off my health plan as stated in HR 3200. You know it's in the bill if my present plan makes any changes on my current insurance the bill would force us to go on single payer. I wish you were more honest with people. We all know how in the past you want everyone on a single payer plan, and you want Insurance companies I guess fazed out. As per your speech to the SEIU in I think it was 2003. I also know thier are no death squads. I wish the Dems. would grow up ,and quit using that term. But with some of your advisers who seem to have written past papers on things like the Life System. How could we trust the goverment when they come into our hospital to talk to us about end of life matters. Sir I have always voted Dem. in my whole life, but your way of looking at the world isn't what I grew up with. In closing I wish you the best ,but my family can't support a system you are trying to get past. I know we can't do much about the bill because are own congressmen have stopped listening to the people that voted for them. So in 2010 my family will activitly help campaign for the other side. Hopefully they will have more consideration for the people then the DEMS have showed today. THANK YOU FOR YOU TIME.
Obama never answers any questions. He call things myths that are very legitimate questions and treats us all like we are idiots. I didn't graduate from Harvard and I'm certainly not a wealthy member of the Democratis or Media Elite, but I certainly know when a con man is trying to pull a fast one on me, and so do most of the American People. Obamacare is a lie and a disaster. Go back to the drawing board and come back when you're ready to be honest with us Mr. President!
Enough - That's what competition within the Health Care field will do; reform health insurance companies. Competition is a good thing, not a bad thing. When for-profit companies have to compete with non-profit or gov't-run health insurance options, everyone will win through the freedom to choose their coverage, which will force the for-profit sector to change their ways for the better.
Please tell me what is wrong with this idea. I have yet to find anything that is.
I just don't believe him or anyone else in Government. We can't take the chance. And for you DEM's who want to go it alone, how would you like it if the REPUBS had the "fool proof" majority and pushed through their idea of reform and "went it alone"...I don't think you would be to happy either.
One thing thats no myth is hispanics know the townhall violence is being expressed against healthcare for them. In another 6 months the republicans will be expressing mystification about not having their vote.
Again.... why is it that those against a single payer, or even President Obama's public option can't see beyond the lies and distortions.
I'm from Canada, and believe me, I simply could not survive in your system. Our Health Care system serves us ALL very well – Open your minds, your eyes, and yes, your hearts to those who have NO HEALTH CARE.
Its not called socialism.... It's called "LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR"
now i know why reagan stopped funding mental illness he was afriad it would wipe out his party