Obama Refuses to Take His Own Health Care Pledge

Organize for America is President Obama's political organization. He has asked his supporters to take the OFA pledge to “stand with the president” on his push for health care reform. The pledge states that health care reform must:

•Reduce costs — Rising health care costs are crushing the budgets of governments, businesses, individuals, and families, and they must be brought under control
•Guarantee choice — Every American must have the freedom to choose their plan and doctor – including the choice of a public insurance option
•Ensure quality care for all — All Americans must have quality and affordable health care

The problem is that Obama refuses to stand by his own pledge. He and his advisors have repeatedly said that they support a public insurance option, but not that it must be part of health care reform. They will not draw a line in the sand and even say there are willing to forfeit the public option completely or accept private, non-profit co-ops instead.

Why should anyone pledge to “stand with the president” on his core principles of health care reform if he is unwilling to? It doesn't matter that I demand a public insurance option be part of reform if the president doesn't make the same demand. Barack Obama can get a public insurance option passed if he is willing to use reconciliation; instead, his advisors say he is willing to give up on the “core principle” to get the vote of a few Republicans.

Mr. President, if you are willing to forfeit the public option for political expediency it is not a “core principle”. It is a sign you have no principles.


*'including the choice of a public insurance option' was highlighted for emphasis