Obama Pushes Health Care Plan at UMD

“Fire it up! Ready to go!” The crowd was still chanting these words as President Obama left the Comcast Center at the University of Maryland, College Park on Thursday afternoon.

The topic of the president’s rally was health care reform, the political issue that has dominated headlines in recent weeks. National debate over Obama’s proposal has been reinvigorated in the past 10 days by the president’s speech before a joint session of Congress on Sept. 9 and events like Thursday’s electrifying College Park rally.

“I definitely think that positive things are happening because Obama was very upbeat and energized. If things weren’t going as well as he had hoped, you would be able to tell in the way he acted,” said Bahri Aliriza, president of Polytrade International Corp., who attended the rally. “I am definitely more energized and determined to help push this reform. I had doubts before coming here about whether or not it will pass, but now seeing the determination of the people and President Obama, I am much more motivated,” Aliriza said.

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke preceded Obama by briefly outlining the president’s plan, which, he said, would provide security and stability for people with health insurance and insurance coverage for the uninsured. Locke also urged the public to talk to friends, classmates and members of Congress to gain support for the plan.

“You can make a difference in this health care debate. You can make a difference now. This is the opportunity of a generation and you are the one,” Locke said.

Rachel Peck, a junior at the University of Maryland and a cancer survivor, then took the podium, explaining the importance of the health care plan and what it meant to her personally. Peck explained that her parents had insurance and so while she was at college, she had no need to worry about the costs of her treatment and therapy. Peck said that after her graduation, she will no longer be covered by her parents’ insurance and asked what might happen if her cancer returns. The crowd was silent.

As some audience members wiped tears from their eyes, Peck introduced the president to the crowd. The president gave her a hug and greeted the roaring audience. Obama began with an appeal to students, explaining the need for financial aid reform and urging more money to go to loans for students.

“You should not have to go through that complicated financial aid application just for some loans,” he told the students. Obama also said that students should not be burdened with debt relating to health care costs on top of loans.

The president proceeded to detail his plan, under which people 26 years old and younger could keep their coverage with their parents’ plans. If their parents don’t have insurance, then low-cost insurance would be available. Insurance companies would not be able to deny people coverage due to pre-existing conditions or drop clients when they get sick.

“In the U.S., no one should go broke because they get sick,” Obama said. “We have private and public universities and schools. The government isn’t taking over schools,” Obama said, countering recent attacks that the government is taking over health care.

In response to the question of how the government would fund this bill, Obama explained that he would not sign any bill to add to the budget deficit, as he promised during his campaign. The government would find savings within the current health care system and use that to fund the plan.

During the speech, there was an outburst of opposition from a member of the crowd, who was subsequently escorted out.

Obama concluded by vowing to finish the fight for affordable health care in the United States.

“We don’t feed on anger. We feed on hope. It’s been near a century since Teddy Roosevelt first called for health care. It has been attempted by many presidents and Congresses since then. I am not the first one to try to reform health care, but I am determined to be the last,” Obama said.

According to the president, debate over the bill is nearly complete. There has been agreement on about 80 percent of what needs to be done, but now is the most crucial moment, he said.

Obama finished by referring to his campaign promise of change, and what it would take to achieve that.

“Change is hard. Civil rights was hard. Women suffrage was hard. Social Security was hard. Getting Medicare was hard. Change starts with people, especially young people,” he said.

He further energized the crowd with a story about a woman always opening up a meeting with the words “Fire it up! Ready to go!” in which those addressed would respond in the same way. The crowd at College Park began doing the same thing, and the decibel level in the Comcast Center skyrocketed.

“One voice can change a room. If you can change a room, you can change a city. If you can change a city, you can change a state. If you can change a state, you can change a nation. If you can change a nation, you can change the world. We will change the world with your voice,” Obama said.

The crowd erupted in a standing ovation as the president left the arena.

From the crowd’s reaction and remarks by audience members, it was clear that Obama had struck a chord.

“President Obama is a great man and a great speaker. I have been behind Obama always, from the beginning and always. He is very natural and intelligent. He is like Dr. King. Now, he needs our help. We as individuals must support him. I know how it is. I have many bills with the house, car and life insurance,” said Muhammad Behzad, an associate broker who attended the rally. “It adds up and we need affordable insurance. I wish I could meet with him and convey my appreciation. ... Did you see everyone? I am confident that we will accomplish our dream.”

Not all felt that President Obama had done well, however. Some wished he had addressed more issues.

“I think he is a great speaker but he should have spoken more about the counter parties. He should have explained more and confronted more of the issues, said Eli Tucker, a graduate of the University of Maryland. “He should challenge himself more and defend his side more with regard to opposing arguments and try to explain his plan more to the people. Right now, he’s just riding the wave and using words. We need action. ‘Fire it up’ are just words. He is definitely an amazing speaker, and he knows how to energize crowds. But give some counterarguments. Give some action,” Tucker said.