Obama Outlines Plan To Pass Health Reform

February 5, 2010 — President Obama on Thursday at a Democratic National Committee fundraising reception presented his most clear-cut strategy to date for passing health reform, the New York Times' "Prescriptions" reports.

Obama said that after lawmakers work out the differences between the House and Senate reform bills (HR 3962, HR 3590), he wants to meet publicly with Democrats, Republicans and independent experts to consider the measures and clarify particular reform provisions. Obama said lawmakers and the independent experts would then hold a debate on the overhaul proposals before Congress decides whether to pass a reform bill.

Obama also said he wants to work through the proposals "in a methodical way, so that the American people can see and compare what makes most sense." He added, "And it may be that if Congress decides ... we're not going to do it, even after all the facts are laid out, all the options are clear, then the American people can make a judgment as to whether this Congress has done the right thing for them or not."

Obama pledged to refute false statements and misunderstandings about reform proposals throughout the debate, as well as to always consider alternate ideas from Republicans (Herszenhorn, "Prescriptions," New York Times, 2/5). He also said that lawmakers should "take [their] time" in evaluating a final bill (AP/San Francisco Chronicle, 2/4).

Obama also admitted to several setbacks during his first year in office but asked Democrats to remain focused on the party's legislative goals, including health reform, the AP/San Francisco Chronicle reports. He said, "I know some of you might feel discouraged because changing the ways of Washington is hard. … Don't give up" (Elliott, AP/San Francisco Chronicle, 2/4).

Biden Says Obama Will Meet With GOP on Reform

Vice President Biden on Thursday said the Obama administration will meet with Republicans in the coming days to discuss GOP reform proposals. Biden said, "Look, the president meant what he said when he said in the State of the Union that he's open to suggestions." He added, "I'm confident that the president is going to invite the Republican leadership to come down and sit with us and have a serious discussion" (Rushing, The Hill, 2/4).

Pelosi, Hoyer Mum on Reform Progress

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) did not report any details on reform efforts after meeting with Obama at the White House on Thursday, though both Hoyer and Pelosi noted that the discussion mostly focused on job creation (Frates, "Live Pulse," Politico, 2/5).