Summing Up Obama’s Health Care Address

Cato health care experts dissected President Obama’s address Wednesday night, providing live commentary throughout the speech.


Overall impressions:


Michael D. Tanner: Can’t see this as a game‐​changer. I would give him an ‘A’ on delivery, but at best a ‘C’ on substance. There were surprisingly few details and very little new.


Patrick Basham: Strikingly political/​partisan rather than statesmanlike speech. Obama chose to pressure Republicans to support his plan rather than attempt to persuade them to do so. He risks a another wave of (effective) opposition from conservative talk radio & cable TV.


Michael F. Cannon: Translation: My health plan cannot work if you are free to make your own decisions.