EA Soundcheck: Scott Lucas on BBC about Obama's Health Care Speech

Video and Transcript: President Obama’s Speech on Health Care (9 September)

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I spoke at 0900 GMT with the BBC World Service's World Update about last night's speech by President Obama on health care, the video and transcript of which are in a separate entry. Jonathan Freedland of The Guardian of London was the other contributor. The item is at the start of the programme, which will be up until about 1000 GMT on Friday.

Comments

[Amy]

Scott
Thanks for your comments. I have to go, but want to point out what I thought were a couple of strong points about the economic impact of reform in the President's speech. Paraphrased for lack of time:

Our health care problem is our deficit problem

Obama needs to come back to that one whenever costs are argued.
On potential anti-competitive effects of a public option:

In many parts of the country there is only one insurance company-- there already is no competition.

Again, the above blockquotes are paraphrases.
There are urban legends about people dying in queue, waiting for medical care under systems like UK's. I would counter with the deaths and serious complications that occur when people wait for pre-approval of procedures. Often they are denied & have to re-apply. It's not uncommon for doctors to lie to get patients coverage. How is it different from the "horror stories"?

My favorite anti-public option line is the famous :

If Stephen Hawking were British, he would be dead.

Even that one lingered for a couple of days. Basically the political right will say just anything. I think they're not going to get away with it much longer. The President has indoctrinated the zombie children of America. It's only a matter of time...

[Scott Lucas]

Amy,

Thank you. These are all excellent points. I think you know my personal sympathies on this --- I hope against hope that there is a meaningful public solution to ensure provision of adequate health care for all.

S.

[Amy]

Scott,
It was a hasty post & I hope what I said didn't suggest that you think anything other than what you just said. It comes through in your comments. I have a great deal of pent up frustration on this subject, in case it doesn't show ;p

[Scott Lucas]

Amy,

I really appreciated the post. Even living across the ocean, I am so anxious that the US will miss another opportunity to deal with an issue of basic decency and justice (not to mention saving lots of lives).

S.