Hawaii Group Part of Presidential Conference Call

Written by Tim Sakahara – tsakahara@kgmb9.com

August 19, 2009 06:41 PM

President Barack Obama says the country is closer than ever to passing universal healthcare which is why he says opponents are lying about the plan in order to kill the plan.

Here are some fast facts on the plan, democratic bills in the House and Senate would expand coverage to 46 million uninsured Americans. It includes a government run insurance option but still lets patients keep their own doctor or insurance plan if they choose.

It would stop insurance companies from denying coverage based on pre-existing medical conditions and partially pays for coverage with a tax on households making more than $350,000.

The White House says President Obama would go to the moon if it would help pass his healthcare reform plan. While he hasn’t gone that far today he did get on the phone with thousands of people from faith based organizations.

“Thank you all for participating in this call,” said President Obama.

If you were in the Empress Restaurant in Chinatown this morning you would’ve heard the phone conversation with the president. Only about 20 people in Hawaii from the group Faith Action for Community Equity or FACE were listening, but there were thousands more nationwide on the line.

The president took the opportunity to dispel myths about his plan particularly about abortions.

“You’ve heard that this is all going to mean government funding of abortion. Not true,” said President Obama.

“I know there has been a lot of misinformation in this debate and there are some folks out there who are frankly bearing false witness.”

“Inside of our organization we’ve been talking about what’s going to happen around abortion and I was pleased to hear he was absolutely solidly telling us federal funds would not be used for abortion. Period,” said Drew Astolfi, FACE State Director.

Congressman Neil Abercrombie was also at the restaurant to dispel rumors saying the plan would not create a death panel for the elderly or give insurance to illegal aliens.

“Obviously it’s complete nonsense. This is all right wing propaganda from people who have been influenced by those who want to engender fear and anxiety,” said Rep. Abercrombie.

“Demonizing or calling people who raise legitimate concerns conspirators is unhelpful to the process,” said Charles Djou, Honolulu City Councilmember.

Charles Djou, who wants to fill Abercrombie’s congressional seat, says healthcare reform is needed but there are better ways.

“Massive expansion of the government bureaucracy and creating a so called public option will deliver to the American public healthcare with the compassion of the IRS and the speed and efficiency of the United States Postal Service and I think a lot of Americans don’t like that,” said Djou. “I certainly think the President has correctly diagnosed that America needs healthcare reform. The problem I have is I think Congress’ proposal is the wrong prescription for our nation.”

Still those who were listening today heard enough.

“I feel like there has been a lot of static around the issue and not very many facts and I feel today we got the facts,” said Astolfi.

President Obama plans to continue the conference call approach, a sign democrats may be shying away from face to face meetings where opponents have lashed out.

Meanwhile Charles Djou plans to hold his own town hall meeting on health care next Tuesday at McKinley High School at 5:30.

Go to original story.