Obama on Health Care Blitz as Support Falls

The Obama administration is setting out on a health care reform blitz, pressing lawmakers to produce a palatable overhaul before the perceived window of opportunity passes.

That window, according to President Obama, is in the next few weeks. He wants the House and Senate to pass out versions of the bill before the August recess, though he says he's willing to wait until fall for lawmakers to reconcile the differences and for him to sign it.

Time appears to be on the Republicans' side, however, as they insist on a longer consideration so that news of the bills trickles out.

As it does, public support for the Democratic health plans continues to decline. A Washington Post-ABC News survey released Monday shows approval of Obama's handling of health care reform slipping below 50 percent for the first time. The poll had a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.

Moreso than the $787 billion economic stimulus package, the president is casting the trillion dollar-plus health care reform as his signature item. Since returning from his latest overseas trip, he has held a series of health care meetings and has with his key advisers made near-daily public statements on the need for reform.

Obama plans to attend a roundtable with health care providers Monday afternoon, after which he will deliver a statement to the press. He's planning the fifth press conference of his presidency for Wednesday evening.

Paying for the health care plan remains the major challenge, underscored by a nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office report that emerging House legislation would increase deficits by $239 billion over a decade.

"I don't follow why we've got to spend another $1.5 trillion to $2 trillion, most people estimate, on top of the $2.5 trillion we're already spending in this country and yet still have, under one estimate, at least 33 million people without health insurance," said Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah. "I mean, these are things that are real serious problems."

Democrats insist the budget analysis ignores savings and Obama's pledge not to add red ink to the federal ledger. - FOX News Story

I don't know why we wouldn't believe Obama when he says he won't add any more red ink!? That is all he has done as the President is add red ink on top of red ink.