Obama works for healthcare reform

Barack Obama is working to make sure he follows through on one of the key promises of his presidential election: healthcare for all Americans.

So what’s the problem?

While a healthcare reform bill has passed the House of Representatives, it appears to be deadlocked in the Senate, even though the president’s own party holds a 60-vote lead in that house of Congress.

It appears that the country’s senators are just as undecided about what to do about healthcare reform as most Americans are.

UCO alum John Lurry, owner of Oklahoma Territory Bows, is a small business owner who does not agree with reforming the current healthcare system.

“This type of health care would not be friendly to small business,” Lurry said.

One of the big concerns that Lurry has is how lawmakers plan to pay for healthcare.

One of the proposals mentioned in the Wall Street Journal and on CNN suggests that taxpayers making over $350,000 will have to pick up the tab for the potentially $1 trillion healthcare overhaul.

Another story that appeared in The New York Times suggested that workers might be taxed on their employer-provided health benefits.

Many conservative talk show hosts are even suggesting that small business owners will have to pick up the tab for every single employee, either by being forced to provide coverage that they currently don’t provide or by paying high taxes in order to cover the cost for a socialized healthcare system.

According to BarackObama.com, the goal is to have all Americans insured, not socialized medicine.

Regardless of the type of coverage, the one thing that small business owners want is a system that works and won’t run them out of business. “Give us something we can use,” Lurry said.

Senators are currently debating a healthcare reform bill. Obama wants a bill agreed on and passed by both houses of Congress before the August recess begins, although it appears the timeline the president gave legislators might be too optimistic.

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5 comments

Isaac Ward

Wed Aug 5 2009 15:57

In regards to Barack Obama wanting every American insured, MAYBE his intentions are good, but then again maybe its a power scheme. After all, when the federal government starts giving out "free" insurance, that gives them more power over the individual, and where does it stop?

Isaac Ward

Wed Aug 5 2009 15:42

Andy, my friend, it is not the start of a socialist government. The socialist government started with the bailout of the banks and was kicked into high gear once Obama took office.

Andy mask

Thu Jul 23 2009 19:44

This plan is going to ruin America. It may start out looking good, but it is the start of soicalist government. If Obama suceeds in taking controll of our health care plans, whats going to stop him from moving on to bigger things in our lives for him to take control of? Take a stand!!!

Bren

Thu Jul 23 2009 14:28

I do not want the Government in my health care. I have visted a uncle in the UK and I want noting to do with anything like their healthcare. My Grandmother died there because she was 83 and had a uterine cancer that was deemed to pointless to bother to treat. Because of her age.,

Tony Smarm

Thu Jul 23 2009 14:24

I think we all ought to mail out kids tonsils to President Obama to make sure it was actually necessary. Damn greedy doctors. They do not care one bit about their patients health.

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