Jun 15, 2009 5:28 pm US/Central
Pres. Obama Comes Home To Sell Health Care Plan
Obama Speaks To American Medical Association At Hyatt Regency Hotel
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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President Obama addresses the American Medical Association about his plan for a public insurance program at Chicago's Hyatt Regency Hotel on June 15, 2009.
CBS
President Barack Obama was back in Chicago Monday, making his case for a public insurance program.
The president spoke to a crowd of doctors at the annual conference of the American Medical Association at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, 151 E. Wacker Dr. The doctors are among the harshest critics of Obama's plan.
But Obama said the health care system was "a ticking bomb for the federal budget."
He declared that the existing system leaves too many uninsured and forces "excessive defensive medicine" by doctors worried about malpractice lawsuits.
Obama told his audience he's open to requiring all Americans to have health insurance. But he emphasized that the plan he envisions would permit continuing help for those who cannot afford it on their own. Obama says a "health care exchange" would be set up for the uninsured to choose a plan.
Without such change, Obama says the U.S. economy could end up in the same shape as the failed General Motors Corporation and Chrysler.
The plan would be paid for by reducing tax deductions for the wealthy, and taxing employee-provided health benefits. A tax on sugar and alcohol has also been mulled.
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Doctors are among Obama's toughest critics. As they checked in to hear his speech at the Hyatt Regency, they had mixed reaction to the plan.
"We don't want to end up as a repeat of Medicare," said AMA delegate Bruce Storms.
The AMA is strongly against a national-only program. Critics say any public insurance could drive private health care out of business.
"That would be a disaster for health care in America," Storms said. "It's something physicians can't support, will not support."
But Obama says his program would give people the option of staying with their current insurance or public coverage. As it is, 46 million Americans have no insurance.
The president seemed to be speaking directly to his critics.
"When you hear the nay-sayers say that I'm trying to bring about government-run health care, know this: They're not telling the truth," Obama said.
While he got a number of standing ovations, Obama certainly did not win them over completely. By one count doctors rose to their feet nine times, but Obama's charm can only go so far with trillions of dollars and the health of millinos of Americans at stake.
"We know that we have to take care of every single individual in this country, and we want to. The question is, what's the best way to get that done?" said AMA delegate William Latrielle.
Immediately after the president spoke, leaders of the AMA talked to reporters.
"I think the President sent some signals to the nay-sayers today to not look at labels, not let fear-mongering, not let rhetoric get in the way," said AMA President Nancy Nielsen.
While major disagreements remain, doctors gave the president points for rejecting a one-payer, government-dominated model of health insurance. All agree changes are needed.
"We believe an honest debate is going to begin. Under those circumstances, we're willing to work," said Illinois State Medical Society North Suburban President James Milam.
West suburban Republican Congressman Peter Roskam favors more modest reform and fears the president's proposal will wind up costing taxpayers far too much.
"The notion that a new government program is going to be as pure as the wind-driven snow is something that my district is not buyin'," he said.
Some physicians agreed that a change is needed in the health care system.
"We're committed to work with the administration and the Congress to really get something done, because the system we have now is not sustainable," said AMA delegate Michael Migliori.
President Obama was only in Chicago from 11:15 a.m. until 11:55 a.m., while giving his speech. He's back at the White House, meeting Monday afternoon with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. The two leaders are expected to talk about prisoners at Guantanamo Bay. Italy is considering taking in at least three of the detainees.
CBS 2's Mike Flannery, Don Schwenneker, Susan Carlson and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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