What The President Faces In Tonight's Health Care and Health Insurance Speech to the Joint Sessions of Congress

What The President Faces In Tonight's Health Care and Health Insurance Speech to the Joint Sessions of Congress in Politics and Legislation

Tonight is really big night for President Barack Obama, and even a bigger night for health insurance and health care reform.

The reactions following the speech and the impact of message could potentially make or break the health reform bill.

Already the political spinsters for both sides are jockeying for position — softening and/or criticizing what the president may or may not say tonight.

So in the spirit of trying to take a neutral view of what President Obama is up against in his speech to Congress and the American people, let’s have at it:

Americans are really divided on this issue.
In a recent Gallup poll, 37 percent of America would advise their members of Congress to vote for the eventual health reform bill. Thirty-nine percent would advise Congress not to vote for it. A relatively large number, 24 percent, have no opinion.

These poll numbers highlight how divided we are about reform and how important it is the president provides a clear, concise message.

Many Americans aren’t sure what reform might bring.
In a recent CBS News poll, more than 66 percent of Americans are confused by the health reform ideas being debated in Congress. Also, 60 percent say President Obama has not clearly explained his reform plans, though in fairness, the president did leave that up to Congress.

Then again, President Obama admitted his “hands-off” approach was a mistake.

Regardless, Americans’ perceptions of reform are being shaped more by partisan interest groups rather than the lawmakers who have the power to send this into law. That’s definitely not something the president wanted.

Mid-term elections.
President Obama knows best that his political party-mates will either reap the benefits of a passed health reform bill or suffer big-time in the hands of defeat.

If the president wants to define the first year’s success of his presidency and keep fellow Democrats on Capitol Hill after 2010, a passed health reform bill is absolutely vital.

The system really does need a fixin-up.
No matter where you fall in the political spectrum or what you feel about the current health care debate, we all know the health system needs a big facelift. We still have too many people who don’t have health insurance, heavily increasing health costs and lots and lots of waste.

Doesn’t it make sense to make sure our health care system is as efficient and effective as possible?

Let us know what you think. Sound off in the comment section or send us a Tweet (@GoHealthDotCom).

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