AUDIO: Obama Admits Ignorance on House Healthcare Bill

Does Section 102 of the House health legislation outlaw private insurance? How dare anyone doubt the President's word! Nonetheless, Obama was asked that question and his response doesn't instill much confidence. During a conference call, a blogger asked Obama about it based on what he'd read in Investors Business Daily. Obama's response?

Hear it for yourself right here.

Ok, as you let it sink in that Obama is "not familiar" with a key provision in House Bill 3200, take a look at the Investor Business Daily article. Apparently, Mr. Obama could have become familiar with the provision by getting through the first 16 pages.

IBD Reports..

It turns out we were right: The provision would indeed outlaw individual private coverage. Under the Orwellian header of "Protecting The Choice To Keep Current Coverage," the "Limitation On New Enrollment" section of the bill clearly states:

"Except as provided in this paragraph, the individual health insurance issuer offering such coverage does not enroll any individual in such coverage if the first effective date of coverage is on or after the first day" of the year the legislation becomes law.

Here's part of Section 102, which is the provision in question:

SEC. 102. PROTECTING THE CHOICE TO KEEP CURRENT COVERAGE.

(a) Grandfathered Health Insurance Coverage Defined- Subject to the succeeding provisions of this section, for purposes of establishing acceptable coverage under this division, the term `grandfathered health insurance coverage' means individual health insurance coverage that is offered and in force and effect before the first day of Y1 if the following conditions are met:

(1) LIMITATION ON NEW ENROLLMENT-

(A) IN GENERAL- Except as provided in this paragraph, the individual health insurance issuer offering such coverage does not enroll any individual in such coverage if the first effective date of coverage is on or after the first day of Y1.

(B) DEPENDENT COVERAGE PERMITTED- Subparagraph (A) shall not affect the subsequent enrollment of a dependent of an individual who is covered as of such first day.

Hmmmm. Check out the whole bill if you dare.

KEY QUESTION: During the audio, Obama says he will NOT SIGN any bill that prevents people from keeping their existing medical coverage. Does anyone think that if a 1018 page Healthcare bill ended up on Obama's desk right now, he'd give a rip about what's in it?

He's demanding the bill be passed before the August recess and he hasn't even gotten to page 16 yet!