With President Obama abroad, First Lady Michelle Obama is stepping in for a few days with a focus on health care.
At an event with women at the White House this afternoon, the first lady joined health care czar Nancy-Ann DeParle. They showcased the stories of women whose families had suffered due to bad insurance and the Medicare “donut hole.”
“These stories touch our hearts and they spark in us a fundamental source of unfairness,” she said.
Obama said she can’t say what the bill “that ultimately will cross my husband’s desk will look like,” but said it would be true reform.
She ticked off the details of the current plan and stressed plans will be portable and “will not endanger Medicare.”
Obama stressed the important role women have in health care decisions, and gave a shout-out to her 72-years-“young” mother Marian.
“Let’s get to work,” she told the women.
DeParle said it is “tempting” to get involved in political back-and-forth before the health care negotiations are completed and a bill passes Congress, but suggested people remember that “this isn’t about politics.”
The health care debate is “truly history in the making,” she said, since “this president and this Congress are the first to advance a health care bill to a vote in either house.”
An interesting moment came when one of the speakers stressed she wanted to see a health care plan “including a public option.” The line drew loud applause.
