Health-Care Reform Will Save Economy, Too: Obama

Numbers drop on health care, economy, deficit

(NEWSER) - President Obama’s approval rating on health care has dropped from 57% in April to below half for the first time, as resistance heats up, even among Democrats, to the reform bill working its way through Congress, a Washington Post-ABC News poll finds. Some 49% approve and 44% (up from 29%) disapprove of Obama’s handling of health care, and while 44% of independents approve, 49% don’t. At 59%, his overall approval rating beats his issue-by-issue numbers, but is below 60% for the first time. More»

'Now we've got to get over the finish line,' President tells Congress

(NEWSER) - President Obama today praised “unprecedented progress” in Congress on health-care reform, the Boston Globe reports. In a hastily scheduled appearance meant to galvanize support amid some signs this week of Democratic dissent, Obama said he remained “absolutely convinced” a bill would be passed this year. “The last few miles of any race are the hardest to run,” he added. More»

Obama can't give in to critics

(NEWSER) - As wrangling over health care reform drags on, President Obama is putting the idea of a public option on the back burner. But public competition would drive private plans to offer better, less expensive care, cutting the massive costs that are hindering progress, writes Robert Reich in the Wall Street Journal. In fact, “the choice people make between private plans and a public one is likely to function as a check on both.” More»

President may buck Dems to win over AMA

(NEWSER) - President Obama is taking his case for overhauling health care to a tough audience today: The American Medical Association, which is holding its annual meeting in Chicago, came out last week against Obama's plan to offer federal insurance to compete with private insurers. But the president privately with AMA officials about limiting malpractice lawsuits, which the organization has long fought for, the New York Times reports, in an effort to keep the AMA at the negotiating table for larger reform. More»

(NEWSER) - President Obama took his push for health-care reform on the road today. Speaking to a town hall meeting in Green Bay, Obama broke no new ground on initiatives but reiterated his goal to have a law through Congress by the fall, the Los Angeles Times reports. He urged people to press their congressional representatives because if the legislation gets delayed again, "it's never going go happen." More»