07/02/09 Bend
 
In the midst of creating a program to provide health insurance to all Americans, President Barack Obama said part of Oregon Senator Ron Wyden's bipartisan plan would require too radical of a restructuring of the current system. "I don't think it's radical when you've got the congressional budget committee saying all Americans can have good quality affordable coverage for the money we're spending and I certainly don't think it's radical to say that every money interest should have to contribute to health care reform, and I don't think it's radical to finally get some bipartisanship," said Wyden.
 
Wyden's plan would replace current employer based health insurance with a system where the government subsidizes through tax deductions and oversees individual plans. He says the budget office has called it budget neutral and would start cutting costs in the third year. President Obama says the major shift from employer based to individual policies along with rewriting the tax code is too radical a change. Wyden says he's been in contact with the Obama administration and it's clear to him the focus is on cost containment. "This isn't just about those Americans without health care it's about every American cause if we do not act to bring down costs, everybody's health care will be in jeopardy," said President Obama.
 
The President has called Senator Wyden a 'real thought leader' and is in agreement with 90% of his plan. "My response is going to be, Mr. President that sounds like pretty good news in terms of what we have to work together on and let's go get the other ten percent,"said President Obama.
 
For Senator Wyden, touring the state introducing bills to help vets, soldiers, and their families, health care is an issue close to his heart. "...You can't fix the economy without fixing health care," said Wyden.