Obama: Health-Care Reform Debate In 'Make-Or-Break' Period

[John Q. Citizen]

WASHINGTON (Dow Jones)--President Barack Obama told lawmakers Tuesday not to procrastinate on overhauling the U.S. health-care system, calling the window before the Senate's August recess a "make-or-break" period for reform legislation.

"We can't afford to put this off," Obama said at the start of a meeting with 24 Senate Democrats.

The White House and Democratic lawmakers are pushing to get a health-care deal done by the end of the year. Obama, who made brief remarks but didn't take questions, acknowledged it will be a "heavy lift" to cinch a bill that expands medical coverage and controls the rise of health-care costs.

Earlier Tuesday, the White House released a report outlining the expected benefits to the economy of containing health costs.

http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20090602-713067.html

[eridani]

1. Like hell it will. Single payer accomplishes both. n/t

[westerebus]

2. Single payer now.

One more time, single payer now.

This is beginning to smell of politics as usual.

[fasttense]

3. Why is it now or never?

Since when do we get only one bite at the apple? I understand that now is a good time for giving citizens equal access to medical care, but is this really our only opportunity? I somehow doubt it.