COVERITLIVE.COM

7:51

Rachel Zimmerman - Welcome everyone. Rachel Zimmerman here with WBUR's CommonHealth blog.

7:52

Rachel Zimmerman -
I'm pleased to be joined here tonight to cover President Obama's speech by two experts in health care. Michael Doonan is an assistant professor at Brandeis University and Executive Director of the Massachusetts Health Policy Forum.
Hi Michael.

7:53

Michael Doonan - Good to be with you. This should be an exciting night.

7:54

Rachel Zimmerman - Also with us tonight is Dr. JudyAnn Bigby, the Massachusetts Secretary of Health and Human Services, a primary care physician, professor, researcher and former Medical director of Community Health Program's at the Brigham.

Welcome Secretary Bigby.

7:55

JudyAnn Bigby - Hello Rachel, I am looking forward to the President's speach tonight. It is an important turning point in this debate

7:55

Rachel Zimmerman - So, before the speech begins, tell us what you think the president must accomplish tonight.

7:56

Michael Doonan -

The President has to do three things. First, regain control of this issue. Focus attention on how reform can help the middle class and get away from anything could be characterized or mischaracterized as “socialized medicine,” “big government,” or “rationing.”

Second, he needs to connect with the American people and boost political support for reform so that moderate Democrats will not fear reprisals in the next election.

Third, and most dangerous, he needs to provide specifics and direction. Areas to watch are the public option, ways to finance reforms, and cost control mechanisms. The danger is that while platitudes or shared values unite us, specifics identifying who wins and who loses divide us. The President will have to walk a fine line.

7:56

Rachel Zimmerman -

Secretary Bigby, what do you think?

7:57	[Comment From doulaangelita] This will hopefully be a clear mandate that will impell Congress to action.

7:57

JudyAnn Bigby - The Presiedent must remind people why health care reform is important. There are too many Americans without insurance...we need universal access. In order to get universal coverage wemust use our health care dollars more wisely to provide quality care for all. The President must tell us how we can achieve these 2 goals.

7:58	Rachel Zimmerman - We've heard early reports that he will walk a fine line on the public option -- he won't demand it, but he will embrace it. What's that about?

7:59	Michael Doonan - Rachel, this is a tough one because there are even division between the House and Senate and within the Democratic party. I think he needs to leave some options open.

7:59	Rachel Zimmerman - Of course, the public option is a compromise for those who think we should have a single payer system, right?

7:59	Michael Doonan - True

8:00	JudyAnn Bigby - Apublic option should not be so controversial. Nearly 50% of Americans are covered by public programs.in areas where people have no choice and therefore insurance costs are high a public option provides people with real choice that is affordaable

8:00	Rachel Zimmerman - Biden and Pelosi are going through parliamentary procedures. Speech should begin soon.

8:00	[Comment From jpd] Doesn't the president need to address the 'fears' of the elderly

8:00	[Comment From doulaangelita] It is not going to be easy, but then being President is no easy task. He needs to be tough, compassionate and flexible.

8:00	Michael Doonan - Senator Baucus said today that doesn't think the public option can pass the Senate, but we will see

8:01	Rachel Zimmerman - Definitely, the fears of the elderly must be addressed. But how?

Page 1 Next >