Obama says talking time over, but has no clue what’s in ObamaCare; Update: Obama admits bill needs more work
posted at 12:16 pm on July 21, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
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“The time for talking is through,” sayeth the man who apparently doesn’t realize that Congress exists to debate legislation and not to muzzle itself and rubber-stamp executive initiatives. Of course, Barack Obama might be able to make that argument a little better if this particular executive took any sort of responsibility for the executive initiative in question. Real Clear Politics has this quote from the President who wants Congress to pass the health-care reform bill by the end of the month without debate, but who apparently has no clue as to what it says or how it works. Click the image to hear:
During the call, a blogger from Maine said he kept running into an Investors Business Daily article that claimed Section 102 of the House health legislation would outlaw private insurance. He asked: “Is this true? Will people be able to keep their insurance and will insurers be able to write new policies even though H.R. 3200 is passed?” President Obama replied: “You know, I have to say that I am not familiar with the provision you are talking about.”
Er, what? Obama has insisted repeatedly that the bill would not force people out of their private health insurance plans, which have over 80% of Americans satisfied at the moment. Now we find out that Obama hasn’t read the section of the bill that pertains to the issue? It shows that Obama has been talking out of his hat the entire time, and has become so disengaged from the process that he’s not bothering to keep up with the legislative changes.
Bill Kristol wonders when Congress will get fed up with uninformed diktats from the Oval Office:
The Democratic bills in the House and Senate are a thousand pages long. They’re still changing as committees try to mark them up, or as they mark up other versions of health insurance legislation. There’s huge uncertainty about how lots of provisions in the bills and under consideration would work–OMB Director Orzsag and HHS Secretary Sibelius couldn’t answer straightforward questions on Fox News Sunday and Meet the Press. Nothing goes into effect in any case until 2013–except the tax provisions, which would begin in 2011. Yet President Obama wants everyone to stop debating and deliberating, and act now–because he and he alone has decided “now is the time to go ahead and act.”
Congress should assert itself, stand up for the deliberative and democratic process, and defy this presumptuous presidential dictate.
I’d put the chances of that at about 60-40 against, or perhaps 62-38 if we count the two Senators from Maine, at least until the midterms. Hopefully, the American people will provide a Congress that shows a little more spine at that point.
Update: Reuters reports that Obama now admits that the bill needs more work:
President Barack Obama said on Tuesday the healthcare overhaul plan working its way through the U.S. Congress needs more work amid signs his top policy initiative, already rejected by Republicans, was running into deeper trouble with his own Democrats.
Obama was to meet with a group of Democratic lawmakers to discuss how to pay for the nearly $1 trillion reforms after a key congressional panel canceled Tuesday’s votes on its version of the legislation while talks continued with a group of fiscally conservative Democrats.
Asked whether he would sign any of the bills now being considered in Congress, Obama told NBC’s “Today” show: “Right now, they’re not where they need to be.”
But Obama said he was confident the final legislation would drive down spiraling healthcare costs over time.
Since “the time for talk is through,” Congress will use body language, hand puppets, and a fleet full of French mimes to get that work accomplished, I presume.
Update II: Heritage link added; they were the original source for the story.
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Let me ask you fine people of Hot Air. What would you do if say the Senate only gets 51 votes in favor. That number would be easy to fillibuster. But what would you do if Obama goes Reconciliation and gets this past anyway without voters approval. What would you be willing to do?
FlyoverJ-HawkFan on July 21, 2009 at 2:29 PM
I’ll bring the pitchforks and the donuts…..JaNo might be watching, so keep it on the downlow.
HornetSting on July 21, 2009 at 2:31 PM
For me there will be no downlow. I would need help so that I am not labeled by the media as a lone McVeigh type who took matters in their own hand.
FlyoverJ-HawkFan on July 21, 2009 at 2:34 PM
Sounds like my bachelor party.
Chuck Schick on July 21, 2009 at 2:35 PM
Listening to Rush, getting a chuckle everytime he plays Pelosi Obama or Frank in chipmunk voice.
ctmom on July 21, 2009 at 2:42 PM
He voted for crap and tax.
ladyingray on July 21, 2009 at 2:42 PM
Shuler also voted for the omnibus bill.
ladyingray on July 21, 2009 at 2:44 PM
Oops, did he. I know he didn’t vote for the stimlus.
FlyoverJ-HawkFan on July 21, 2009 at 2:45 PM
A FABLE.
Managed Health Care from above.
Teddy is nearing the end.Two Nuns and a Priest are startled to see a slender,attractive wisp appear,she pauses at the window to look at the freshly washed 68 Olds.She draws closer to Teddy’s room and the older Nun blurts out, it’s “Mary Jo”,”My child, asks the good Father, whom do you seek ?”
M J says she is “fillin’ for Michael the Death Angel on this case,sorta personal you know.” Sweet Jusus sayeth the good Father, gets dark and all you can hear are the Nun’s doing the beads.
And we lived happy sorta thereafter.
Col.John Wm. Reed on July 21, 2009 at 2:45 PM
You are being kind.
mikeyboss on July 21, 2009 at 2:46 PM
Gotta go. This third shifter is drunk and also took a temazapan to help with sleep. Night all.
FlyoverJ-HawkFan on July 21, 2009 at 2:47 PM
Fixed
NoFanofLibs on July 21, 2009 at 2:52 PM
Unleash HELL!!! If they go reconciliation on this and shove it through with 51 votes, it is THE END for the Democrats’ majority in Congress, just like the one-vote passage of Clinton’s tax increase in 1993 was. I think the Dems know it too. They are not going to walk the plank for a President whose poll numbers are tanking by the day.
rockmom on July 21, 2009 at 2:59 PM
Obama no likey the growing opposition………
……. it is who he is, and there is no room for compromise.
Marxiast/Socialism or Bust…….
Seven Percent Solution on July 21, 2009 at 3:06 PM
It is said 5% of patients use up 50% of health care dollars. I do not know if that is true or not, but I will assume it is.
I want everyone to have the best possible health care, but I know that is not possible. There will always be haves and have nots. But what Obama and his Democratic cronies want to focus on is fairness over which system provides the highest benefits to the most people. Milton Friedman recognized this a while ago. His words and warnings are still true.
H/T: Protein Wisdom and Professor Bainbridge
Mr. Joe on July 21, 2009 at 3:14 PM
I am more and more convinced that this president is in a situation which is over his head to the point that he has become the tool of others.
tullius on July 21, 2009 at 3:32 PM
If we got rid of the wetbacks from all over the world we would have very low health care costs.
Blunt, not PC but TRUE.Legal or out!!!!
Col.John Wm. Reed on July 21, 2009 at 3:36 PM
Someone tell bambi that talk is cheap most especially from his lips.
bluegrass on July 21, 2009 at 3:39 PM
Disagree – every single time the Bed Crapper in Chief opens his lying mouth, he’s taking money from productive Americans.
NoDonkey on July 21, 2009 at 3:48 PM
My wife, an Ivy-League educated endodontist, was recently bitten by a rabid bat. She went to the emergency room for treatment. She waited 6 hours to be seen. Seems the immigrants realized that patients who arrive by ambulance get priority, so she waited and waited while they came in on taxpayer-provided ambulances to have their sniffles and minor cuts and scrapes attended to.
guntotinglibertarian on July 21, 2009 at 3:59 PM
SEN Demint is on Cavuto right now—he’s pressing the attack.
ted c on July 21, 2009 at 4:02 PM
“The president voted with the insurance companies in the past.”
“the Democrats have killed private insurance because they don’t want it to work…”
“He’s taking over healthcare just like he’s taking over GM”
“We cannot allow him to roll over us…”
–SEN Demint today
ted c on July 21, 2009 at 4:04 PM
SEN Demint just said that Obama played right into his trap
ted c on July 21, 2009 at 4:04 PM
this person has been reading the 1000 page house bill and posting it at Twitter……
the bill is worst than you thought
Peter Fleckstein (aka Fleckman) is reading it and has been posting on Twitter his findings. This is from his postings (Note: All comments are Fleckman’s)
Pg 22 of the HC Bill MANDATES the Govt will audit books of ALL EMPLOYERS that self insure!!
Pg 30 Sec 123 of HC bill – THERE WILL BE A GOVT COMMITTEE that decides what treatments/benes u get
Pg 29 lines 4-16 in the HC bill – YOUR HEALTHCARE IS RATIONED!!!
Pg 42 of HC Bill – The Health Choices Commissioner will choose UR HC Benefits 4 you. U have no choice!
PG 50 Section 152 in HC bill – HC will be provided 2 ALL non US citizens, illegal or otherwise
Pg 58HC Bill – Govt will have real-time access 2 individs finances & a National ID Healthcard will b issued!
Pg 59 HC Bill lines 21-24 Govt will have direct access 2 ur banks accts 4 elect. funds transfer
PG 65 Sec 164 is a payoff subsidized plan 4 retirees and their families in Unions & community orgs (ACORN).
Pg 72 Lines 8-14 Govt is creating an HC Exchange 2 bring priv HC plans under Govt control.
PG 84 Sec 203 HC bill – Govt mandates ALL benefit pkgs 4 priv. HC plans in the Exchange
PG 85 Line 7 HC Bill – Specs for of Benefit Levels for Plans = The Govt will ration ur Healthcare!
PG 91 Lines 4-7 HC Bill – Govt mandates linguistic approp svcs. Example – Translation 4 illegal aliens
Pg 95 HC Bill Lines 8-18 The Govt will use groups i.e., ACORN & Americorps 2 sign up indiv. for Govt HC plan
PG 85 Line 7 HC Bill – Specs of Ben Levels 4 Plans. #AARP members – U Health care WILL b rationed
-PG 102 Lines 12-18 HC Bill – Medicaid Eligible Indiv. will b automat.enrolled in Medicaid. No choice
pg 124 lines 24-25 HC No company can sue GOVT on price fixing. No “judicial review” against Govt Monop
pg 127 Lines 1-16 HC Bill – Doctors/ #AMA – The Govt will tell YOU what u can make.
Pg 145 Line 15-17 An Employer MUST auto enroll employees into pub opt plan. NO CHOICE
Pg 126 Lines 22-25 Employers MUST pay 4 HC 4 part time employees AND their families.
Pg 149 Lines 16-24 ANY Emplyr w payroll 400k & above who does not prov. pub opt. pays 8% tax on all payroll
pg 150 Lines 9-13 Biz w payroll btw 251k & 400k who doesnt prov. pub. opt pays 2-6% tax on all payroll
Pg 167 Lines 18-23 ANY individual who doesnt have acceptable HC accrdng 2 Govt will be taxed 2.5% of inc
Pg 170 Lines 1-3 HC Bill Any NONRESIDENT Alien is exempt from indiv. taxes. (Americans will pay)
Pg 195 HC Bill -officers & employees of HC Admin (GOVT) will have access 2 ALL Americans finan/pers recs
PG 203 Line 14-15 HC – “The tax imposed under this section shall not be treated as tax” Yes, it says that
Pg 239 Line 14-24 HC Bill Govt will reduce physician svcs 4 Medicaid. Seniors, low income, poor affected
Pg 241 Line 6-8 HC Bill – Doctors, doesnt matter what specialty u have, you’ll all be paid the same
PG 253 Line 10-18 Govt sets value of Dr’s time, prof judg, etc. Literally value of humans.
PG 265 Sec 1131Govt mandates & controls productivity for private HC industries
PG 268 Sec 1141 Fed Govt regulates rental & purchase of power driven wheelchairs
PG 272 SEC. 1145. TREATMENT OF CERTAIN CANCER HOSPITALS – Cancer patients – welcome to rationing!
Page 280 Sec 1151 The Govt will penalize hospitals 4 what Govt deems preventable readmissions.
Pg 298 Lines 9-11 Drs, treat a patient during initial admiss that results in a readmiss-Govt will penalize u.
Pg 317 L 13-20 OMG!! PROHIBITION on ownership/investment. Govt tells Drs. what/how much they can own.
Pg 317-318 lines 21-25,1-3 PROHIBITION on expansion- Govt is mandating hospitals cannot expand
pg 321 2-13 Hospitals have oppt to apply for exception BUT community input required. Can u say ACORN?!!
Pg335 L 16-25 Pg 336-339 – Govt mandates estab. of outcome based measures. HC the way they want. Rationing
Pg 341 Lines 3-9 Govt has authority 2 disqual Medicare Adv Plans, HMOs, etc. Forcing peeps in2 Govt plan
Pg 354 Sec 1177 – Govt will RESTRICT enrollment of Special needs ppl! WTF. My sis has down syndrome!!
Pg 379 Sec 1191 Govt creates more bureaucracy – Telehealth Advisory Cmtte. Can u say HC by phone?
PG 425 Lines 4-12 Govt mandates Advance Care Planning Consult. Think Senior Citizens end of life
Pg 425 Lines 17-19 Govt will instruct & consult regarding living wills, durable powers of atty. Mandatory!
PG 425 Lines 22-25, 426 Lines 1-3 Govt provides apprvd list of end of life resources, guiding u in death
PG 427 Lines 15-24 Govt mandates program 4 orders 4 end of life. The Govt has a say in how ur life ends
Pg 429 Lines 1-9 An “adv. care planning consult” will b used frequently as patients health deteriorates
PG 429 Lines 10-12 “adv. care consultation” may incl an ORDER 4 end of life plans. AN ORDER from GOV
Pg 429 Lines 13-25 – The govt will specify which Doctors can write an end of life order.
PG 430 Lines 11-15 The Govt will decide what level of treatment u will have at end of life
Pg 469 – Community Based Home Medical Services=Non profit orgs. Hello, ACORN Medical Svcs here!!?
Page 472 Lines 14-17 PAYMENT TO COMMUNITY-BASED ORG. 1 monthly payment 2 a community-based org. Like ACORN?
PG 489 Sec 1308 The Govt will cover Marriage & Family therapy. Which means they will insert Govt in2 ur marriage
Pg 494-498 Govt will cover Mental Health Svcs including defining, creating, rationing those svcs
patrick neid on July 21, 2009 at 4:05 PM
Help I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!!!
Rationing Board recommends you remain on the floor.
FontanaConservative on July 21, 2009 at 4:08 PM
I think you are being too hard on the guy. How could he comment on legislation that has not yet been written? It won’t be written until after the vote, just like cap and trade.
Vashta.Nerada on July 21, 2009 at 4:29 PM
I found it quite instructive that the Reason.tv video on the iPod and “Buy American” had a quote of Obama saying “The TIme for talk is Over. The time for Action is Now!”, while talking about the stimulus also.
I remember him saying before the election that we would listen to opponents. I guess he is willing to listen as long as no one is talking.
OBQuiet on July 21, 2009 at 4:34 PM
LOL
txmomof6 on July 21, 2009 at 4:42 PM
Obama says the time for talk is over on ObamaCare. Gore says the debate is over on global warming. The Left thrives on such demagoguery and shuns free and open debate like vampires shun garlic and fear mirrors. So much for all that Obama gas about transparency. Even he hasn’t read his own bill.
I’m no doctor, but I’m guessing that reorganizing one seventh of the US economy based on radical socialist notions by a bunch of elected lawyers who don’t know squat about medicine is a recipe for catastrophe. Obamacare must be defeated.
Tantor on July 21, 2009 at 4:48 PM
UPDATE; Obama has rubber gloves and KY jelly delivered to Oval Office; Invites Congress over for “pep talk” on healthcare plans.
Cybergeezer on July 21, 2009 at 4:49 PM
If they pass this damn thing, and then a bunch of these yahoos get kicked out of office in 2010…can the next Congress reverse the vote?
Terrye on July 21, 2009 at 4:57 PM
I cannot recall a major piece of legislation ever being repealed. Amended yes but repealed ?…..Prohibition 1919 does come to mind but that was the 18th amendment to the constitution repealed by the 21st in 1933.
I’m sure there must be some but the old wives tale about laws, bills etc living forever must have some basis in fact.
patrick neid on July 21, 2009 at 5:11 PM
The constitution containes a second avenue to thowing of the chains of a tyranny that goes against the will of the people.
The Ronin Edge on July 21, 2009 at 5:13 PM
The automatic seat belt law. The 55 mph national speed limit.
The 55 mph repeal was part of Contract with America – hello, GOP, hello??
guntotinglibertarian on July 21, 2009 at 5:20 PM
How in God’s name could the AMA have signed onto this monstrosity?
I guess, like so many organizations in the country, their leadership positions have been seized by Leftists who are more interested in social engineering than in doing any actual work.
guntotinglibertarian on July 21, 2009 at 5:23 PM
This is not an amendment. I would think that if the law will not go into effect until 2013, and the new taxes do not kick in until 2011…there might be some way to turn some of this back.
As for the AMA signing onto this, I doubt if they have bothered to read it either. Someone made them some promises not doubt.
Terrye on July 21, 2009 at 5:47 PM
We need a Constitutional amendment requiring that any law that passes without a 2/3 majority in both houses cannot be presented to the President until it has been passed again by a subsequent Congress.
guntotinglibertarian on July 21, 2009 at 5:47 PM
ColJohn:
You could have made your point without using the term wetback. And I am not talking about just being PC either. That right there is how Republicans lost the hispanic vote. You could have talked about illegals etc without calling them all wetbacks. Believe it or not there are legal residents and citizens in this country who are hispanic. They are not now nor have they ever been illegal. Using a term like that only serves to insult the wrong people. The Democrats have enough of an advantage without helping them out like that.
Terrye on July 21, 2009 at 5:51 PM
He was always a tool and in over his head.
chemman on July 21, 2009 at 5:57 PM
A lot of these Dem’s have had the fear of God put to them by the folks back home. Obama sweet talk nor the Libs leaders in congress can take that fear away as long as we keep the pressure on them.Keep the phone lines and Emails smoking.P.S. don,t forget Cap & Trade.
thmcbb on July 21, 2009 at 6:03 PM
Here’s a MUST see from Michelle:
Rep. Russ Carnahan (D MO-3) Talks healthcare to constituents who LOL!
To be laughed at often and much;
to win the disrespect of intelligent people
and the mockery of children…
to leave our country an indebted place…
to know not one life has breathed easier because you have lived.
This is to have failed, Barry.
Loxodonta on July 21, 2009 at 6:08 PM
hahaha, that’s funny. Obama must have heard a lot of rumbling going on about this bill. He can’t afford another boondoggle, what with the stimulus results crashing in on him. He better think this one through…long and hard. We’ve seen what rushing a bill through accomplishes…just a pile of debt is all I see.
scalleywag on July 21, 2009 at 6:12 PM
That’ll put the fear of God into them!
scalleywag on July 21, 2009 at 6:15 PM
The bill needs to be taken to the land file and plowed to the bottom of the heap . . . even then it’s socialist stench will continue to be sensed.
rplat on July 21, 2009 at 6:34 PM
Drum circles?
onlineanalyst on July 21, 2009 at 6:47 PM
The inside the beltway chit chat has it they were bought by a provision that increases their medicare payments 20% while the harmful aspects will come later. They are strictly looking at the short term immediate gain.
patrick neid on July 21, 2009 at 7:17 PM
This Idiot Presidency is headed for torches and pitchforks, apparently with reckless abandon.
Jaibones on July 21, 2009 at 7:18 PM
I know that. I used it as an example of “major” legislation being over turned. The 55 speed limit was a book entry compared to Health Care. Once this monster gets put in motion it will be nearly impossible to overturn. Once people get something for free or think they are, there will be no turning back. It has to be stopped now or its over.
patrick neid on July 21, 2009 at 7:23 PM
FlyoverJ-HawkFan on July 21, 2009 at 2:34 PM
Honestly…All that I and (presumably) many other Americans need is someone to lead us..so I say “Lead and I WILL follow”
stacy on July 21, 2009 at 7:25 PM
action alert from tea party patriots, go here for live linkys with lists of who to call and their direct lines:
ginaswo on July 21, 2009 at 7:34 PM
patrick neid
yes the AMA sold out for a promise that Critters would STOP the already legislated 21% reduction in medicare phsycian pymts set to go into effect next yr.
they are morons b/c TOTUS is already working to STRIP CONGRESS of that power
the idiot AMA has sold out for nada…
ginaswo on July 21, 2009 at 7:36 PM
Look at the picture of Obama in this post: Is he dumbo or is he just dumb?
bayview on July 21, 2009 at 8:28 PM
can’t he be both….
:-)
cmsinaz on July 21, 2009 at 9:25 PM
Congressmen should have to pass a test proving they know what is in the bill before they are permitted to vote on it. If not, why not???
traditionalist on July 21, 2009 at 10:24 PM
Health care bill needs work?
The understatement of the decade!
SmallGovtGuy on July 22, 2009 at 1:01 AM
I think Obama has not met his Waterloo but his Iraq.
RobCon on July 22, 2009 at 8:11 AM
From his own mouth………
WORDS, JUST WORDS
bluegrass on July 22, 2009 at 9:19 AM
It’s about as simple as it can be.
Obama wants to break the back of this country in order to create as many people as possible who will have to become dependent on the government, and bankrupting it is the quickest way to do so.
So far, he’s been doing a bang-up job of it.
PoodleSkirt on July 22, 2009 at 1:04 PM
Then do what they are elected to do. Fix the bill, read the bill and make it available to those that have elected these idiots with no real world experience. Write it so a farmer can read it and understand it, not a lawyer….
workingforpigs on July 22, 2009 at 1:45 PM
Why pass something that is wrong just for the purpose of passing a bill. Go back to the office and do your homework and do what you are elected to do.
workingforpigs on July 22, 2009 at 1:47 PM
Members Who Vote for Government-Run Health Care Should Enroll Themselves
I recently introduced a resolution urging Members of Congress who vote for government-run health care to automatically enroll themselves in the government-run plan.
Over the past few weeks, Members of Congress and the American people have come to know the details of the Administration’s proposed health care plan. Call it whatever you like, I believe this proposal is nothing more than government-run health care. As a physician, I am amazed at the number of bureaucrats in this House who are quick to claim a government-run health care plan is the reform this country needs. My resolution will offer Members of Congress an opportunity to put their money where their mouth is, and urge their colleagues who vote for legislation creating a government-run health care plan to lead by example and enroll themselves in the same public plan.
Under the current draft of the Democrat health care legislation, Members of Congress are curiously exempt from the government-run health care option, keeping their existing health plans and services on Capitol Hill. If Members of Congress believe so strongly that government-run health care is the best solution for hard working American families, I think it only fitting that Americans see them lead the way. Public servants should always be accountable and responsible for what they are advocating. For more information go to my website at fleming.house.gov.
reshas1 on July 22, 2009 at 4:11 PM
I want free fruits and vegetables and seafood as well as gym memberships with my universal health care
CMonster on July 22, 2009 at 4:12 PM
I am waiting for a Ghost Tax. I seriously am. More and more proof is showing tragic deaths and things keep residual things around after someone dies and I am waiting for a squad to come out and tell me my house is haunted and they will tax me for each ghost or tax the family of that ghost. How about that? There’s no getting out of it , would it be? I bring this up because even going out and deliberately catching this killer flu to get out of this stinkin world won’t be the answer. The problem therefore must be resolved while we are alive and can physically halt this crap.
I know I know, maybe I jut went nuts. Tax my dead brain cells. I dunno. Where did the free America go that our forefathers fought and die to protect?
johnnyU on July 22, 2009 at 4:15 PM
I’m going to want free band-aids.
johnnyU on July 22, 2009 at 4:16 PM
I thought they have it already. It is called the Estate tax.
bayview on July 22, 2009 at 4:58 PM
What I want to know is whether or not patients can sue their doctors for malpractice under Obamacare? If military personnel can’t sue their doctors (thanks to an obscure federal law), can’t the same thing be applied to civilians??
Frankly, I have yet to hear ANYONE in an elected position address this to the satisfaction of voters. Betcha it won’t come up either in the press conferences to come…
itzWicks on July 22, 2009 at 5:11 PM
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