Obama: ‘Cautiously optimistic’ on health care bill after warning Democrats that this is America’s last shot at universal health care

obama-doctor-jokerAfter emerging from a meeting with Senate Democrats Tuesday warning them that this is the “last chance” to pass comprehensive reform, Obama emerged from the room claiming he was “cautiously optimistic”. Joining him were Chris Dodd, Harry Reid and a smiling Max Baucus. I don’t know if Baucus’s girlfriend paid hi a special visit during the meeting or not. According to Politico, Obama said Tuesday he’s “cautiously optimistic” that the Congress can pass a health care bill that meets his criteria for reform, but acknowledged after meeting with Senate Democrats that “there are still some differences that have to be worked out.”

“It’s clear that we are on the precipice of an achievement that’s eluded congresses and presidents for generations, an achievement that will touch the lives of nearly every American,” Obama said after the hour-long meeting with the Democratic caucus.

“There are still some differences that have to be worked on. This was not a roll call. This was a broad-based discussion about how we move forward,” Obama cautioned.

Obama offered no details of the deal discussed with the Democrats, but Senate leadership is moving toward dropping a Medicare buy-in plan that was strongly opposed by Sen. Joseph Lieberman (I-Conn.). Lieberman on Tuesday said he now is moving toward voting yes on health reform, which could give Democrats the 60 votes they need to pass it.

But the difficulties facing Obama with his liberal base were clear. Many are furious with Lieberman for blocking Democratic health reform efforts but also growing increasingly angry at the White House for not pushing harder for a public option, or even the Medicare buy-in.

Former Democratic National chairman Howard Dean, a major public option supporter who also backed the Medicare expansion, told Vermont Public Radio: “This is essentially the collapse of health care reform in the United States Senate. Honestly the best thing to do right now is kill the Senate bill, go back to the House, start the reconciliation process, where you only need 51 votes and it would be a much simpler bill.”

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December 15, 2009 · Filed Under ObamaCARE


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