Yesterday, President Obama indicated that he would be willing to modify some conditions of the Affordable Care Act to please some governors out there, many of them Republicans:
President Obama sought to defuse criticism of the new health-care overhaul Monday by saying he is willing to give states an earlier opportunity to opt out of certain key requirements – but only if they can find their own ways to accomplish the law’s goals.~SNIP~
If Congress approves the plan, states could gain exemption by 2014 rather than 2017 from some central and controversial elements of the law: that most Americans carry health insurance, that many employers offer their workers coverage, and that states create insurance marketplaces to help individuals and small businesses buy health plans that meet federal rules.
To win that freedom, though, Obama reminded the governors at a White House meeting that states would have to prove to federal officials that they could still achieve the law’s objectives.
One of the biggest complaints coming from the GOP is that the ACA takes away latitude from the states to solve their own problems. And, as everybody knows, Republicans are all about states’ rights and “local control”.
Still so, as the Washington Post article points out, many Republican governors are dubious. Of course they are. It’s an idea coming from the President. Even though it’s something put forth by a bipartisan group of legislators including Republican Scott Brown and Blue Dog Dem Mary Landrieu.
In the meantime, the President is continuing to show the country that he is completely capable of bargaining for more than he’s willing to finally settle for and then look like he’s willing to work with Republicans when he gives back a bit.
Not that he’ll get any credit whatsoever for that. I feel certain he’ll be criticized for it despite the fact that it’s a good thing.
Because, for some on the left just like for some on the right, if the idea originates with the President, there must be something wrong with it.
The President also spoke out in support of protesting public workers and teachers in Wisconsin yesterday.
“I don’t think it does anybody any good when public employees are denigrated or vilified or their rights are infringed upon,” Obama said in televised remarks. “We need to attract the best and brightest to public service. These times demand it.”
Cue the cries of “too little, too late!” and “the President is meddling in a states’ rights issue!” in 3…2…1…
It really gets exhausting, doesn’t it?
I’m just sayin’…
