President Obama accused the Republicans of being obstructionist but called on Democratic leaders to “put aside matters of party for the good of the country.” He said he would be willing to consider reforms that:
- “bring down costs for all Americans as well as for the federal government”;
- provide adequate protection against abuses by the insurance industry;
- make coverage affordable and available to the uninsured; and
- help the federal government “get on a path of fiscal sustainability.”
President Obama added that he would like “to work on ways to limit medical malpractice lawsuits” but indicted he might not support tort reforms that could only have a modest effect on healthcare costs.
The president, who plans to meet with Republican and Democratic Congressional leaders in a healthcare summit on Feb. 25, seems to have ambiguous support from the American public.
A Washington Post-ABC News poll found that 57 percent of Americans view the loss of Senate Democrats’ filibuster-proof majority as a “good thing,” but 63 percent still want Congress to deal with health reform.
The Post added that the president’s 20-point advantage over Republicans last summer on handling healthcare issues has slipped.
Read the White House’s transcript of the president’s news conference.
