In what can viewed as a concession to House Democrats angry about the loss of the public option, the president said during the meeting that he wanted the final legislation to provide more generous subsidies to help Americans buy insurance, and stated a preference for boosting the measures beyond what the Senate bill offers, a congressional Democratic leadership aide said.
After months of maintaining an arms-length distance, Obama used the meeting Tuesday to delve into the health care negotiations, signifying the start of what a second congressional Democratic leadership aide said would be heightened involvement by the White House. Obama pledged to take a direct role in resolving House-Senate differences and setting the agenda and pace of the negotiations, according to the aide who was briefed on the meeting…
The White House has been firm in saying the president planned to preserve his personal leverage for the conference – and even without a formal conference, he now seems prepared to use it.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member