Originally Posted by Guest

Ok....first of all, if you recall our President said two things about this plan. First, it would be so public that he would insure discussions would be on CSPAN, and secondly that he would involve both parties. He did neither.

The meetings were private and behind closed doors, and after some media complained, he had that famous dog and pony show when he invited the Republicans and then publicly mocked them. I have always felt his public mocking was a major issue in creating or widening the divide we have today.
The only people who attended meetings were lobbyists from the healthcare industry. Actually, if you recall, even most of the dem lawmakers did not know anything until the day they were told to vote.

These are facts...if you need historical links, will be glad to post them.

On the other issue, you are partly right. Game plan was both coverage and health costs. It had its birth in 1993 when both parties were trying to do what ACA does. Some minor differences, but it never got to the floor, but the President was very very clear about his goals in reducing healthcare costs.