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Obama Open to Compromise on Health Care

He tells summit: 'I just want to figure out what works'

By the Associated Press

Posted Mar 5, 2009 5:01 PM CST

(AP) – President Barack Obama said today's health care summit at the White House made clear the immediate need for reform, and he signaled he's open to compromise. Obama told participants at the end of the summit that although he offered a plan during last year's campaign, he isn't wedded to that proposal. He told Republicans and Democrats, doctors, and insurers that "I just want to figure out what works."

The president said there are some elements that all sides can agree on such as electronic health records that will save lives and money. Other issues—such as his $634 billion down payment for expanded coverage—are certain to create deep divisions. "We just have to keep an open mind." Obama called on Ted Kennedy first after making his brief remarks, and the ailing senator said, "This time we will not fail."

President Barack Obama speaks at the White House Forum on Health Reform in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Thursday, March 5, 2009.
President Barack Obama speaks at the White House Forum on Health Reform in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Thursday, March 5, 2009.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
President Barack Obama speaks about health care reform in the East Room of the White House in Washington Thursday, March 5, 2009.
President Barack Obama speaks about health care reform in the East Room of the White House in Washington Thursday, March 5, 2009.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
President Barack Obama speaks about health care reform in the East Room of the White House in Washington Thursday, March 5, 2009.
President Barack Obama speaks about health care reform in the East Room of the White House in Washington Thursday, March 5, 2009.   (Gerald Herbert)
President Barack Obama greets Travis Ulerick, a firefighter from Dublin, Ind., as he arrives to deliver remarks.
President Barack Obama greets Travis Ulerick, a firefighter from Dublin, Ind., as he arrives to deliver remarks.   (Gerald Herbert)
President Barack Obama delivers remarks at the White House Forum on Health Reform, Thursday, March 5, 2009, in the East Room of the White House in Washington.
President Barack Obama delivers remarks at the White House Forum on Health Reform, Thursday, March 5, 2009, in the East Room of the White House in Washington.   (Ron Edmonds)
President Barack Obama speaks with Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., at the White House forum on health care.
President Barack Obama speaks with Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., at the White House forum on health care.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
President Barack Obama smiles with Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y.
President Barack Obama smiles with Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 13 comments
Doctor-Zaius
Mar 6, 2009 6:53 AM CST
I trust his judgment and while I like the idea of single payer health care I realize that politics is the realm of the possible.
MarkFL
Mar 5, 2009 11:42 PM CST
Good luck compromising with republicans on health care! What is the mid-point between full coverage and taxcutJesusterrorabstinence? It may be difficult to negotiate a compromise when republicans' only policy position on health care is to make sure that we don't have any. Pale rider, the notion that Canadians are flocking to the US for better health care is nonsense. To you and your fellow conservatives, 40 million who can't afford coverage is an acceptable casualty of having the best healthcare system. I am sorry but our system is a wreck. The idea that all of a sudden we are going to have unqualified doctors is just insane. We are not nationalizing health care, only insurance and even then Obama is not proposing a "socialist" insurance scheme. The Obama plan is privately administered and an expanded opportunity to buy into the congressional plan. I wish the conservatools would learn to read. Just like that Republican governors who won't take the stimulus money, I wish the conservatools would stick with their current plans while the rest of us get coverage. If you get sick, Bobby Jindal will perform an exorcism on you. What a laughing stock!
Guest
Mar 5, 2009 10:22 PM CST
Mark, you sure are correct in your comment. Maybe pale-rider can get Bobby Jindal to do his operation,, or to prescribe his medicine.

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