Former president's plea for health care reform
(CNN) - Former President Bill Clinton released a statement Thursday that calls for the passage of health care reform. Last month the former president met behind closed doors with Senate Democrats, to urge them to come to agreement on a health care bill. Clinton pushed for, but failed to win, major health care reform during his first term in the White House.
Statement from President Bill Clinton on Health Care Reform
December 17, 2009New York, NY – "America stands at a historic crossroads. At last, we are close to making real health insurance reform a reality. We face one critical, final choice, between action and inaction. We know where the path of inaction leads to: more uninsured Americans, more families struggling to keep up with skyrocketing premiums, higher federal budget deficits, and health costs so much higher than any other country's they will cripple us economically.
Our only responsible choice is the path of action. Does this bill read exactly how I would write it? No. Does it contain everything everyone wants? Of course not. But America can't afford to let the perfect be the enemy of the good.
And this is a good bill: it increases the security of those who already have insurance and gives every American access to affordable coverage; and contains comprehensive efforts to control costs and improve quality, with more information on best practices, and comparative costs and results. The bill will shift the power away from the insurance companies and into the hands of consumers.
Take it from someone who knows: these chances don't come around every day. Allowing this effort to fall short now would be a colossal blunder - both politically for our party and, far more important, for the physical, fiscal, and economic health of our country."
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I like Bill Clinton but disagree that this universal healthcare is a good idea.
Boy compared to the wing nuts even ol Bill is a classy act. lets get this passed then we can modify it> SEE OL PALIN HAS DISHED McCaine again. she is so disrepectful it just stinks.
Why all the pleading? WE NEED HEALTHCARE REFORM!
The senate and congress in general need to get together, stop the politics and comeup with a strong, agressive approach to this issue.
Clinton should not have to plea with our leaders to do what's right.
If you are not in favor of it, i suggest you look inot private coverage costs and see what you may be facing.
Disappear Bill. We have had enough Clintons to fill our lifetimes!!
President Clinton failed to pass health care in 1992 and the 90s were great for our country. A fiscal surplus, lots of job. Obama is close to driving us into bankrupcy with the most corrupt spending, debt, and printed money in the history of the world, and he wants to pass Obamacare which will cost trillions upon trillions that will all have to be borrowed, printed, or covered with taxes that will make our eyes bleed. Let just stop Obamacare and get people back to work. It worked in the 90s, it can work now!!!!
It is amazing the things the bible thumping wing nuts say about president Clinton. But you know all over the world he is still thought very highly of. He is surely smarter than any of the repos looking to run in 2010.Unlike palin he speaks the english language and is a rhodes scholor. I guess if they can pardon Sanford they should not think to badly of Bill. he didn't use any tax payers money or leave the white house unattended for a week. Bashing presidents has become an obsession for the party of No I think the problem is they don't understand people with an IQ higher than jello. Thats why the rick perry's and pawleys are popular now.
President Obama always blamed GWB as an occupant of the white house who is not exercising his leader. But, Obama is the worst. He has not shown any leadership and decisiveness in any agenda he put forth thus far. And he gives himself B+. I grade him Obama is incomplete.
Tekleab
And some how this is the Republicans fault? I'm amazed at liberal logic. The Democrats have a majority, if they can't pass the bill, look in the mirror, not across the aisle. And for those calling for use of the reconciliation option: you realize you want the Democrats to slam the members of their own party with that, right? I'm sure that will go a long way for building coalitions for the next big bill.
Are any of you aware that WE pay for the insurance of the three branches of government and they use the single payer plan proposed by Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats in the House. The military and the government of this country are covered by "socialized medical coverage". Hillary Clinton was correct when she said we (the citizens of this country) should get the same health insurance that Congress, the President, Supreme Court, etc., since we are paying it and we would be amazed if we knew how much better their plan was than ours.
look all of you so called christians kill me with a shotgun you are the same ones who judge when god says dont sinners thats why the rapture will come and all of the fakes will burn believe it you call yourselves christian but hate obama cause he not a right winger grow up and get a life you only care about yourselves and are blind WHY NO REAL POLITICIAN RIGHT OR LEFT CARES FOR YOU ONLY MONEY dummies
Go back to your closet Bill, the people dont want Obama Care because Obama is a traitor and lier to the American people.
Clinton is right... But this bill has become far too conservative. Even so, it is STILL miles ahead of the Republicans' plan: the status quo.
Mark my words: Conservatives are still trying to finish nailing America's coffin shut.
My hope is that you never loose your job or health insurance, only then will you understand what it means.
OK. So there is no public option, no medicare buy in, no money for abortions, just suck it up and quit complaining.
The insurance companies will take care of you. The drug makers witt see that you get what you need.
They have a deal with Obama and you know that he has your best interest in mind. Just believe. You really will not pay higher taxes. Just shut up and trust Obama to deliver you. Remember what he promised.
Suckers!
The Senate bill as it is should not pass. I am disappointed w/ the watered down bill. Give us a good bill, and if Lieberman and Republicans don't pass it, that's fine. Pass a bad bill would result in bad results (more bankruptcies) and it's totally Democrats fault.
No health bill will result in "Death Panel"or Death for 31,000,000 million people.
they keep saying it will control costs but can't tell us one thing that will make ins companies lower premiums