9:02 PM: The conclusion:
I understand how difficult this health care debate has been. I know that many in this country are deeply skeptical that government is looking out for them. I understand that the politically safe move would be to kick the can further down the road – to defer reform one more year, or one more election, or one more term.8:59 PM: Gives tribute to Ted Kennedy.
But that’s not what the moment calls for. That’s not what we came here to do. We did not come to fear the future. We came here to shape it. I still believe we can act even when it’s hard. I still believe we can replace acrimony with civility, and gridlock with progress. I still believe we can do great things, and that here and now we will meet history’s test.
Because that is who we are. That is our calling. That is our character. Thank you, God Bless You, and may God Bless the United States of America.
8:56 PM: The Republicans have props. They keep waving something around. Honest to god, they are children. It's pathetic. Heckling the president and props. This is all fun and games for them. They really don't get the import of the issue. Eric Cantor can't stop texting or tweeting. Via Political Wire's tweet, apparently it was Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) who yelled "lie" during the speech.
8:55 PM: My plan costs $900 billion. Less than what we've spent on Iraq/Afghanistan wars. Less than those tax cuts for the wealthy.
8:52 PM: Republicans cheer wildly over the idea of malpractice reform. Obama proposing ideas on putting patient safety first, let doctors be doctors. Directing Sec. of HHS to move forward on Bush idea of demonstration projects.
The rest of the liveblog is after the break.
8:50 PM: Obama takes a whack at the GOP Medicare scare tactics "don’t pay attention to those scary stories about how your benefits will be cut – especially since some of the same folks who are spreading these tall tales have fought against Medicare in the past, and just this year supported a budget that would have essentially turned Medicare into a privatized voucher program. That will never happen on my watch. I will protect Medicare."
8:49 PM: "Medicare is another issue that’s been subjected to demagoguery and distortion during the course of this debate." Yes, again, from the Republicans.
8:46 PM: How to pay: I won't sign any bill that adds one dime to the deficit now or in the future (which he repeated). I inherited trillion deficit because too many programs, like Iraq war, weren't paid for.
8:45 PM: Obama spends quite a bit of time explaining the value of the public option. Good analogy to public higher education. (Full excerpt on public option is here.) Notes the American people support it. Shouldn't be exaggerated by the left, right or the media. "And to my Republican friends, I say that rather than making wild claims about a government takeover of health care, we should work together to address any legitimate concerns you may have." As if.
8:42 PM: "Now, I have no interest in putting insurance companies out of business...I just want to hold them accountable." Insurance reforms would do just that. Could also make available "not-for-profit public option available in the insurance exchange."
8:39 PM: OMG. Someone, obviously a Republican, heckled Obama when he said illegal immigrants won't be covered. Who yelled out "Lie." That kinda shows the level of class on the GOP side. Obama ignored it and kept going.
8:38 PM: "Death panel" is a lie, plain and simple. Calls out politicians who are "cynical and irresponsible."
8:37 PM: Laughter erupts when Obama says "While there remain some significant details to be ironed out"
8:36 PM: Everybody will be required to carry insurance. So, there is a mandate. But, 95% of small businesses would be exempt.
8:34 PM: Explains exchange concept for those with no insurance (new insurance exchange – a marketplace where individuals and small businesses will be able to shop for health insurance at competitive prices.) More customers means greater leverage.. "It’s how everyone in this Congress gets affordable insurance. And it’s time to give every American the same opportunity that we’ve given ourselves."
8:32 PM: Reining in the insurance companies is a big hit: "In America, no one should go broke because they get sick." Yet, that happens all the time. That's really sick. Those with insurance can expect "more security and stability."
8:29 PM: He attacks the "partisan spectacle" and "scare tactics." As John noted, he makes it sound like both sides are equally at fault when the GOPers/Teabaggers and other haters have been unrelenting with their lies.
8:26 PM: Our health care problem is our deficit problem. Nothing else even comes close. These are the facts..then he has to go into dissing "those on the left" who want single payer. Takes a swipe at "those on the right." Both "represent radical shift." Too often, Obama doesn't want to be allied with those on the left who elected him.
8:23 PM: Being uninsured can happen to anyone. And, key point is that even those with insurance don't have security. People dropped from coverage all the time. "It happens every day." It does. "No one should be treated that way in the United States of America." True.
8:20 PM: Obama: lots of presidents have worked on health care reform. I intend to be the last. Also thanked those in Congress who helped save the economy (That would exclude all Republicans except Snowe and Collins.)
8:13 PM. The President is making his way into the House chamber. The President's speech is here.. (UPDATE: I"ve excerpted the section on the public option here. FYI: Progressives have to back down here, too, even though Obama sold some of us, including me, on the public option.) From the speech:
To my progressive friends, I would remind you that for decades, the driving idea behind reform has been to end insurance company abuses and make coverage affordable for those without it. The public option is only a means to that end – and we should remain open to other ideas that accomplish our ultimate goal.The pundits will be watching who claps when and who doesn't. And, how many times each side claps. We'll get a rundown on who smiles. Who looks grumpy. It's like high school.
