Washington
15 August 2009
 |
| President Obama (file photo) |
U.S. President Barack Obama and his opponents in the Republican Party are both calling for a more respectful tone in the increasingly angry debate on health insurance reform. The president is urging Americans to lower their voices.
In his Saturday radio and internet address, Mr. Obama acknowledges that many people are concerned about proposed changes in the way they pay for health care. But he says Americans should stop shouting at lawmakers in public meetings, and ignore false rumors about his health initiatives. "These are legitimate differences worthy of the real discussion that America deserves - one where we lower our voices, listen to one another, and talk about differences that really exist," he said.
Recent U.S. news reports have featured scenes of people at so-called "town hall" meetings chanting, shouting and screaming at members of Congress. Mr. Obama says these confrontations are rare, and most public meetings on health care have been respectful and substantive.
In the Republican Party message, Senator Orrin Hatch, from the Western state of Utah, agrees that some of the behavior in the meetings is excessively hostile. But he says Americans have the right to express their opinions. "I am disappointed about the attempts to characterize the behavior of Americans expressing their concerns as 'unamerican.' Although I strongly encourage the use of respectful debate in these town halls, we should not be stifling these discussions," he said.
Public support for Mr. Obama's health care overhaul plan has been eroding, and he is seeking to reassure Americans that they will be better off if the proposal is approved. "If you like your doctor or health care plan, you can keep it. If you do not have insurance, you will finally be able to afford insurance. And everyone will have the security and stability that is missing today," he said.
The president says he wants Americans to have the option of buying into a public health insurance plan which competes with plans offered by private companies. Critics say that could put some insurance companies out of business.
Some Republicans, including Senator Hatch, say Mr. Obama's ideas will cost too much and amount to a government takeover of health care. "Our nation expects us to solve this challenge in an open, honest and responsible manner. More spending, more taxes and more government is not the answer," he said.
Mr. Obama continues his campaign to promote his reform plan to the public. Later Saturday, he will hold his second public meeting in two days, this one in the Western city of Grand Junction, Colorado.