So I was in class during the President’s speech on healthcare to a joint session of Congress. My rockstar girlfriend however, was awesome enough provide me with real-time text message coverage of the speech. Below is her top-notch reportage.
5.26pm Obama is not laying the smack down yet.
5.28pm Wait! He just did.
5.29pm He basically just told everyone to stop fighting, this is what we were elected to do and we’re going to do it.
5.30pm He’s laying it out now. Hold on.
5.33pm Insurance companies have to cover routine check-ups including mammograms, etc.
5.34pm Now it gets vague. Sounds a little like the co-op plan. Groups insure affordability. Tax credits for insurance, based on need.
5.37pm This will take effect fully in four years.
5.40pm In the meantime for people who have pre-existing conditions and can’t get coverage, he will make affordable coverage of some kind available immediately.
5.40pm And now a little shout out to McCain bcuz it was his idea.
5.43pm Hardship waivers if you still can’t afford it. Companies that can’t afford it are also eligible for waivers. All people are required to have insurance, a la car insurance.
5.45pm Now addressing key controversy: death panels are some bullshit. “It’s a lie, plain and simple.”
5.45pm HAHAHA The Republicans just sat there and pouted while everyone else stood and applauded.
5.47pm Illegal immigrants: lots of shouting in the room now. They will not be covered. OH SHIT! Someone yelled at him.
5.47pm Abortion: no federal money used.
5.58pm Public Option: consumers do better when there is a choice.
5.50pm He doesn’t want to take over insurance, he just wants them to be accountable. We are making a not-for-profit option available in an insurance exchange.
5.52pm Only an option for those without insurance, no one is forced to choose it, and it doesn’t affect anyone who already has insurance.
5.52pm The Public Option is self-sufficient and does not rely on taxpayers.
5.54pm Its only one part of the plan, everyone needs to shut the fuck up (I’m paraphrasing).
5.54pm He said the Republicans should shut up about it and we will address any “legitimate concerns.”
5.56pm “I will not back down on the basic principle that if you cannot afford insurance we will provide you with a choice.”
5.56pm How we pay for this: he will not sign a plan that adds one dime to the deficit now of in the future.
5.57pm Then he repeated it. There will be a provision that requires more spending cuts if the savings don’t materialize.
5.58pm Oh my god, the Republicans are so pissed!
5.59 Most of the plan can be paid for by fixing current waste in the healthcare system.
5.59pm None of the Medicare trust fund will be used to pay for the plan.
6.02pm Medicare will not be privatized or turned into a voucher program.
6.06pm Estimated cost: $900 billion over ten years. Less than Iraq war, less than the tax cuts for the wealthy passed by the previous administration.
6.07pm Most of it paid for by existing waster money, no taxes raised. If we slow the growth of healthcare cost by one tenth of one percent it will reduce the deficit.
6.09pm He says his door “is always open.” We should go visit!
6.09pm “I will not waste time with those who have made the calculation that it is better politics to kill this plan than to improve it.”
6.11pm “If you misrepresent what’s in this plan, we will call you out. I will not accept the status quo as a solution. Not this time. Not now.”
6.11pm Now a Ted Kennedy moment. He wrote a letter to Obama, to be delivered upon his death. That’s creepy, right?
6.17pm The President is sticking the landing now
6.19pm The Republicans are still pouting.
6.19pm The end!
Personally I think that you should copy and paste this and send it to all of your friends and loved ones who didn’t watch the speech.
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