Obama gets medical consultation in healthcare reform pitch

President Obama told doctors this morning that he was confident that Congress would move on healthcare reform this year, though he acknowledged that there were details still to be worked out.

“You look spiffy in your coats,” Obama told the crowd of about 150 in the Rose Garden, most of whom were wearing lab coats. He praised the doctors as being among the medical professionals who know first-hand how important it is to make changes in the healthcare system.

The Senate Finance Committee is expected to pass its version of healthcare reform soon, making it five bills that have worked their way through committees in both houses. The Senate will have to reconcile two bills and the House three.

But among details still to be worked out is what shape a public option might take, whether robust, a government-sponsored health insurance program, some form of cooperatives or just an exchange to make insurance costs more transparent.

The final version of the House bill is expected to have the strongest public option; the version in the Finance Committee is the weakest. Other issues include how to pay for the changes and what consumer protections to demand from the insurance companies.

-- Michael Muskal

Photo: Shawn Thew / EPA

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-- Michael Muskal

Comments

[Robert Williams]

The medical doctors ARE the Problem! They try to get paid for "PRACTICE". Should ONLY be paid for PERFECT! That's the problem!

[DOCTOR HOUSE CALL]

Every doctor in attendance favor single payor health care, ie; becoming government employees. All bought into the fictional, non-existent "right" to free health care.

You can be sure no alternatives were contemplated or discussed. "My way, or the highway." Shove everyone into one system. No, thank you.

My liberty as a doctor trumps your imaginary "right" to universal access to me. You want me, you will pay me, as you do for every other service or object you purchase, with your own money, as I do.

My name is not on your card.

Take up your issues with those who promised you benefits.

[AdoptiveFather, Los Angeles CA]

The pictures are so weird. How did all the docs happen to be wearing lab coats?

Did they bring them with them or did White House supply them?

Does nobama think we are too stupid to realize that doctors sometimes DON"T wear lab coats?

WEIRD........reminds a bit of the child indoctrination videos on youtube.

[Peter]

Dear Housecall,

The problem is that you are not a doctor. You are a shister. You ought to be a lawyer. I don't want your name on my card and I don't want your services.

[Joey]

Ok. He brought in how many doctors? Why doesn't he get the majority of the "peoples" approval before he goes out and trys to support his program by getting a few knucklehead doctors. Obama works for us not doctors....

[AdoptiveFather, Los Angeles CA]

Too bad all the guests in white coats did strap some restraints on nobama and haul him off to the mental hospital and give him a taste of 'public option'.

Too bad...........

[William Georgi]

Same number of doctors, 10% more patients, and our President claims doctors will have MORE time with patients? What planet is he living on?

[UN]

In this day and age of 2 second attention spans, it seems like we need these visual aids. The GOP would have us forget that most doctors are supportive of reform. If they prefer it we should listen because they know more about how this system is failing than anyone else. I believe that there our health-care delivery is very good, it is the access to the system that is broken.

So, misguided partisans understand that no one is looking to change delivery only access. No doctors will work for the government.

[me]

Obama needs to stop running for president and be the preisdent. A garden full of white coats is not solving health issues. Grow up.

[stewart]

The President may as well have been talking with the front line troops, good job here.

[José Femenías]

Medical doctors are a big part of the health care problem.
Administrative costs are, according to many sources, up to 1/3 of the total. Doctors should embrace rather than refuse the adoption of new technologies to streamline the process and make sure that patient's dollars are spent on medicine, not paperwork.

[Selina Leon]

Don't you understand they are all ready getting free health care (illegals) If I walked in a health care, A united states citizen without insurance they could turn me away 25 illegal Mexicans can walk in they treat them, I was furious why I asked who else is going to help them ? what about me go get 1,800 dollars come back true story I swear on my life that happen Here in South Bend IN.

[tarheelchief]

It is remarkable few if any politicians have interviewed the children and the spouses of these medical professionals.
What do they fear? What do they think will happen to their lives and the lives of their children?
How do they think their lifestyles will change?
Given the rigorous and demanding educational requirements and the long period of training for low wages,many physicians,male and female,think the public should be understanding about their needs for suitable compensation.
Not a few of them are heavily in debt.
I think one solution to this problem is free education for doctors.I also think there should be alternative locations they can apply for after a few years on the job. Presently they have some freedomt to select where they will work. I am confident they do not want to be chained to a place where they are fearful or where they get no social support or reinforcement.Perhaps an exchange program could be worked out between English,French,American,Spanish,and Italian doctors to see how socialized medicine impacts their families and their professional options.FDR said the only thing we have to fear is fear itself,and I think this applies to many physicians and their families.