Obama – Has the Health Industry Bought Every Chair?

Now that the Senate version of the healthcare reform bill has passed it is on to merging it with the House version. Obama is on record as saying that he will now become more involved. Less clear is exactly how he will become involved. My money is on his chosen role being that of mediator, pushing the bill towards final passage with little regard to what is in it. Anyone who expects him to suddenly start taking the progressive side is in my view way to optimistic. I hope I am wrong.

In the meantime this should serve as a reminder to the Whitehouse as these are Obama’s own words and if nothing else he should be reminded of these by the traditional media. Not holding my breath though as this would involve reporters actually doing some prep, like in the good old days. It is the meat of a very short piece by Arianna Huffington:

the president should spend some time reacquainting himself with his campaign promises to “break the stranglehold that a few big drug and insurance companies have on the health care market,” “let Medicare negotiate for lower prices,” and “allow the safe re-importation of low cost drugs.” Back then, Obama said, “I’ll have the insurance and drug companies at the table. They just won’t be able to buy every chair.” Turns out they did

Huffington Post

Disclaimer: I like Obama both as a human being and as a politician. I still think that there is a good possibility that he will be the best president in my lifetime but he won’t be withouts without pressure from progressives.