Seems like some have forgotten what Obama said about the PO

[The Hope Mobile]

Here it is again at around 4:25 in this video

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/07/obama-demands-the-bill-i-sign-must-include-public-option.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+tpmelectioncentral+%28TPM+Election+Central%29

[Edweird]

1. The transcript of the important part:

“That’s why any plan I sign must include an insurance exchange — a one-stop shopping marketplace where you can compare the benefits, costs and track records of a variety of plans, including a public option to increase competition and keep insurance companies honest, and choose what’s best for your family.”

[The Hope Mobile]

4. Thank you!

[Selatius]

10. There will likely be an exchange, but the odds for a Public Option are much lower I believe.

This is sad to say, but this is how Congress and the White House seems to operate. Too few liberals. Too many lobbyists.

[Edweird]

12. The lack of a public option is a forgone conclusion. The are merely attempting

to make it look like they 'didn't have any choice'.

[Selatius]

13. Yeah, I'm starting to feel that way. I think we're in for a lot of pain with the private mandate. nt

[Donnachaidh]

2. Ed Schultz was just talking about the *other* backroom deal Obama made with the insurance companies

Seems the word is getting out about that *change* that's been bouncing around.

[The Hope Mobile]

3. "Other" backroom deal? Enlighten me please.

Thanks!

[Donnachaidh]

5. A deal was made LAST AUGUST -- I'd have to look up links

I'll bet you can find clips on his site wegoted.com

[The Hope Mobile]

6. Can you just tell me what it entailed? Is it different than what's been talked about

here . . . that he agreed to mandate insurance and that this is all just a big give away to insurance companies or is that the same deal? Thanks!

[Donnachaidh]

7. from what I understand it was a different meeting from Pharma

the Pharma meeting was leaked. This one was written about in an obscure column, with an insurance lobbyist saying that Obama had struck a deal, and they knew there would be NO public option.

[Donnachaidh]

9. found it!

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/13/health/policy/13health.html?_r=2&pagewanted=2



Hospital industry lobbyists, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of alienating the White House, say they negotiated their $155 billion in concessions with Mr. Baucus and the administration in tandem. House staff members were present, including for at least one White House meeting, but their role was peripheral, the lobbyists said.

Several hospital lobbyists involved in the White House deals said it was understood as a condition of their support that the final legislation would not include a government-run health plan paying Medicare rates — generally 80 percent of private sector rates — or controlled by the secretary of health and human services.

“We have an agreement with the White House that I’m very confident will be seen all the way through conference,” one of the industry lobbyists, Chip Kahn, director of the Federation of American Hospitals, told a Capitol Hill newsletter.


Soooo -- 80 Billion for big Pharma, and a later 155 Billion for the Hospitals -- yep, that's the change we can believe in.

[Edweird]

11. It also points out the lie "The insurance companies are against it"

[The Hope Mobile]

14. Totally infuriating!! Thanks!!! nt

[seafan]

8. This is what you are looking for.

Kirkpatrick article in NYT, August, 12, 2009