The President intended to use his trip to Cleveland to reinforce his message that overhauling health care is urgent. But right before he came on stage in a gymnasium at Shaker Heights High School, there was news out of Washington that the Senate was not going to make the President's August deadline. While that's seemed likely for a few days, the announcement from Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid put a crimp in the President's PR offensive. Most in the audience hadn't heard the news, and about 25 minutes into his remarks, Mr. Obama addressed the updated timetable.
OBAMA: Well we might not be able to get the bill out of the senate by the end of August or the beginning of August. That's OK. I just want people to keep on working. Just keep working. I want the bill to get out of the committees, and then I want that bill to go to the floor, then I want that bill to be reconciled between the House and the Senate, and then I want to sign that bill.
Months ago, Mr. Obama said August was the deadline. Now, he says he wants legislation on his desk by the end of the year--preferably by the end of the Fall.
The crowd at the town hall-style event in this Democratic stronghold gave the President a warm reception and cheered his efforts on, but still had lots of questions about the details of the legislation working its way through congress.
DR: Hello Mr. President, I'm Dr Diana Lee Macron and I have a question. The Republicans and some Democrats want to tax health care benefits. Using one of the local Council of Smaller Enterprises plans, an individual male would pay $1500 at the age of 24, $5200 at age 50.
OBAMA: First of all, in terms of taxing benefits, I've said I oppose the taxing health care benefits people are already receiving so that's not a proposal I'm supportive of.
Mr. Obama called on a number of kids during the Q and A like 14-year old Parker Smith.
SMITH: How can you reassure many Americans around the country that your health care proposal isn't too much too fast?
OBAMA: Well, I think that's a great question.
Yes, the President was ready for this one. He said most changes would be phased in over years.
OBAMA: So it's not as if you're going to wake up tomorrow and suddenly the health care system is all changed completely. We are going to phase this in in an intelligent and deliberate way. But there are some changes I think have to take effect pretty quick. For example, making sure we're reducing prescription drugs for seniors, we shouldn't have to wait a long time to get that done.
The president used the occasion to reiterate his vow not to sign any bill that increases the federal deficit. That’s one of the major sticking points in the debate. Does the legislation control runaway health care costs? The non-partisan congressional budget office says the legislation, in its current form, does little to contain costs.
Critics of the president’s plans were also out in Shaker yesterday.
PROTESTERS: Don't trust the government! They're lying to you!...
About 250 protesters lined Van Aken Boulevard a few blocks away from the high school event.
Among them was Jack Boyle of Americans for Prosperity.
BOYLE: We think that effectively it will amount to eventually a federal takeover of 17 percent of the US economy. People have very good ideas, and no one thinks that health care doesn't need some reforming and revision.
Boyle says he's happy there's a dialogue about health care, but he fears the bill will be passed too quickly and lead to rationing and limited coverage.
Others in Shaker yesterday said they want reform but can’t yet understand exactly what is being proposed. Michael Schuenemeyer is among them.
SCHUENEMEYER: I'm still trying to get my hand and my mind around what some of the specifics are.
He’s not alone. While the House putting the finishing touches on its bill, the Senate is still writing its version of health care reform. So, there’s no single plan out there… yet.