President Barack Obama is finally taking a firm stand on health care reform; and for many it's none too soon. Meanwhile Republican's continue to argue that the bill should be thown into a wastebasket and a new "republican style" health care plan should be created.
In his weekly radio and Internet address President Obama said Americans are suffering from destructive insurance company practices, and Congress needs to "act now." "I will do everything in my power to make the case for reform," Health-care reform has been one of Mr. Obama's top priorities since taking office.
In his address the President outlined some of the changes he hopes will pass in the reform bill, such as allowing those with pre-existing conditions to purchase insurance and providing a stipend to senior citizens whose drug costs are high but not high enough to qualify for government assistance. He raises the point that health reform will not only have long-term advantages for the country but will have immediate protections and benefits this year if passed by Congress.
The president began his push for reform a year ago with a hopeful health care summit in an effort to garner bi-partisan support. Losing the Mass election to a republican caused the democrats to suffer a major political defeat earlier this year and has hampered the passage of health care reform.
A year later it has become apparent to the President that there will never be bi-partisan support, and he must push for reform on his own.