TPMDC
A Very Hawaiian Health Care Bill?
President Barack Obama
Share
Send to a friend!
The White House has long been saying President Obama wants a health care bill on his desk this year.
That's the messaging used by the DNC's Organizing for America, pro-health reform groups and, as Brian reported this week, the Democratic leadership is prepared to work "right through Christmas."
A reporter today asked White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs about the lag as the Senate debates its version of the bill.
"Given that it took four days to vote on the first two amendments in the health care bill do you think realistically you're looking at a date closer to the state of the union for a bill?" the reporter asked in the morning gaggle.
"I'm not going to wiggle on a date," Gibbs said.
TPMDC followed up asking Gibbs about the First Family's annual Hawaiian vacation. The dates aren't public yet, but Obama will be in the Aloha state for a good chunk of time in late December.
"If the bill is passed the president would be happy to sign it in Hawaii - I could think of any number of picturesque locations," Gibbs said.
Late Update: Gibbs said the next day, "We can all do our jobs wherever we need to do our jobs."
Comments (21) | Join the Conversation!
Leave a comment
Follow us!
Most Popular
TPM Stories Now Surging on Digg.com
TPM Top News
© 2010 TPM Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
CN
December 4, 2009 6:38 PM
Wait -- if Obama signs the bill in Hawaii, it doesn't go into effect because Hawaii isn't part of the United States.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
merchant
December 4, 2009 6:56 PM
If President Obama is in Hawaii when the bill is ready for signing, he should hold the signing ceremony in the lobby of the hospital in which he was born.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
lousgirl84
December 4, 2009 8:08 PM in reply to merchant
Good one!
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
nova voter
December 4, 2009 6:57 PM
sort of off topic, but sort of on, since it involves the HCR bill.
we (in northern virginia) just received a call from an 877 number. older lady, who said she was calling from the Campaign for Responsible Health Reform, and wanted to know if we understood the dangers (gasp!) associated with the health care reform before congress.
she asked whether, considering the new taxes, government takeover of health care, blah blah blah that were going to result from the current bill (honestly, i can't remember most of the horrors she named, because i kind of zoned out), i agreed that the "reckless" plan put forth by harry reid should be defeated. i asked again where she was calling from, and she repeated the name of the organization and then said, "it's a grass roots movement, supported by the united states chamber of commerce."
hahahaha. i guess that's what passes for " grass roots" on that side of the tracks.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
bluebell
December 4, 2009 7:03 PM
We'd have a better health bill if Obama stayed home and worked on a few fireside chats.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Viva!America!
December 4, 2009 9:04 PM in reply to bluebell
Stop romanticizing about past presidents. This is 2009 and with all the "noise" that is out there I'm shocked that anyone even hears what he says. Fire side chat indeed, as long he doesn't interrupt American Idol or So You Think You Can Dance.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
MNPundit
December 4, 2009 11:05 PM in reply to Viva!America!
I agree, but that's he's not passionate about anything seems to damage him as well.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
TBender
December 4, 2009 11:23 PM in reply to MNPundit
Except he keeps winning that way...
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
bluebell
December 5, 2009 10:47 AM in reply to TBender
Yes, but keep the emphasis on the "he". It's not to be confused with "we".
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Stroszek
December 4, 2009 11:05 PM in reply to bluebell
Of course! A speech is all he needs to persuade everyone to agree with him! Why didn't anyone think of this sooner?
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
bluebell
December 5, 2009 10:52 AM in reply to Stroszek
Hmm...I wasn't thinking along the lines of one of those live concert type of "change" speeches. I was thinking more of the kind where President and leader of political party tries to actually connect with heads and hearts not merely guts of the folks to persuade them of the wisdom of adopting a way of viewing the world, their country and agenda for moving forward.
But heck, if he just wants to get reelected so he can have more free trips to Hawaii the appeal to the gut thing could work too.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
mikedrevguy
December 5, 2009 9:52 AM in reply to bluebell
agreed. If the Senators have to be in DC to hash this out - so should the Chief Executive. It's only good business morale practice and good politics.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
artappraiser
December 4, 2009 8:05 PM
Interesting coincidence?
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/17/health/policy/17hawaii.html
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
midnight rambler
December 4, 2009 10:08 PM in reply to artappraiser
I think it's pretty hard to say that the costs are lower in Hawaii due to the population being healthier, given that the diabetes rate is through the roof due to the number of 400+ lb. people here. More likely it's because people don't go to the doctor as often because it's hard to find one. Most general practitioners aren't accepting new patients at any given time, and there simply aren't any specialists for some things.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
CommunityOrganizer
December 4, 2009 10:48 PM in reply to midnight rambler
Hawaii is consistently ranked as one of the healthiest states. Last year, it was first; this year, it was fourth:
http://www.americashealthrankings.org/yearcompare/2008/2009/HI.aspx
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Apphouse50
December 5, 2009 8:06 AM in reply to CommunityOrganizer
And what's really great about America's Health Rankings is that it's courtesy of UnitedHealthFoundation. I always love sticking it right in the eye of reform opponents using stats provided by the very industry their efforts work to strengthen. Funny how few of them actually do any homework before shooting their mouths off.
Oh, yeah, and The Commonwealth Fund shows Hawaii as #6 among US states in health care access.
Vermont is always right up there as well. Vermont, which has universal health coverage. Gasp!
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Apphouse50
December 5, 2009 8:16 AM
Oh, by the way, according to The Commonwealth Fund's latest report on state health system performance, the WORST states in overall ranking are (in order):
Mississippi
Oklahoma
Louisiana
Arkansas
Nevada
Texas
Kentucky
Florida
New Mexico
Illinois
Notice anything here?
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
CranialRectalLoopback
December 5, 2009 12:46 PM in reply to Apphouse50
Red rash?
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
CranialRectalLoopback
December 5, 2009 12:48 PM
I think Obama should sign the Carefully Unhealthy Bill in the same hospital where is mother had such problems with the "Insurance" company, since his mother would have the EXACT SAME EXPERIENCE with this stinking pile.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?