Barack Obama lobbies hard on eve of health vote
March 20, 2010
ASSOCIATED PRESS
FAIRFAX, VA.–President Barack Obama described the stakes of this weekend's health-care vote in stark terms Friday: "If this vote fails, the insurance industry will continue to run amok."
In a campaign-style address to an audience of several thousand at George Mason University in suburban Fairfax, Obama appealed for last-minute support as he and House leaders lobbied for about six more votes to push a $940 billion overhaul of the health-care system through to passage.
With Sunday's expected vote hanging on the support of just a handful of wavering Democrats, Obama delivered an energetic, 25-minute closing argument for the goal to which he has devoted much of his presidency and on which its future could pivot.
Obama summoned both pragmatism and principle in an attempt to sway the undecideds to his side.
"You've got to help us finish this fight," Obama told the crowd. "You've got to stand with me just like you did three years ago and make some phone calls and knock on some doors, talk to your parents, talk to your friends.
"Do not quit."
The first-come-first-served crowd responded with vigour, punctuating Obama's speech with loud cheers.
A handful of people booed and interrupted – one yelling, "No socialism!" – but the vast majority appeared supportive of his goal.
Obama emphasized the bill's provisions that would go into effect this year, including banning insurers from denying coverage to those with pre-existing conditions or dropping coverage when a person becomes ill or imposing annual or lifetime limits on care; requiring free preventive care and allowing children to stay on parents' policies into their 20s.
"This is a patients' bill of rights on steroids," Obama told the crowd. "What we're talking about is common-sense reform."
Republicans are unified in opposition, saying the bill imposes new taxes and uses budget gimmicks to mask costs that will appear later in the life of the bill.
Heading toward a weekend vote, the White House and Democratic congressional leaders are targeting a group of 14 or 15 undecided lawmakers to get to the 216 votes needed to pass the measure, administration officials said.
Obama was to meet with House Democrats on Saturday.
Toronto Star
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