Thank you, President Ambien!

I have a hard time sleeping. My mind is typically racing of all the many things I need to get done in the next 8 days, before my little bundle of joy comes (which feels like a 20 pound bowling ball underneath my skin)! So last night, around 3:00am I decided to see what was on CNN. It was a re-broadcast and analysis of President Obama's health insurance press conference. I had regretably missed the live airing, I was watching So You Think You Can Dance. Before begining my viewing, I was wide awake. And thankfully, several long minutes later, I had drifted into a peaceful sleep. I decided to record this press conference, to help in other sleepless nights.

I'm unsure if it was his long, drawn out, inconclusive answers. Or his soothing, yet monotone voice. Or just the fact that I was watching CNN at 3am. But it was stronger than taking 2 Ambiens! I have since read the transcript from his prepared message, and find myself confused at some of his remarks, ideas, and plans for our health care.

1. "And it's about the fact that the biggest driving force behind our federal deficit is the skyrocketing cost of Medicare and Medicaid." I thought that this legislation would not only be "budget neutral" but after 10 years provide billions of dollars in revenue. I don't understand how the current government program for a small percentage of the population is the "biggest driving force behind our federal deficit", yet this new plan will provide a revenue.

2. "If [the federal government] does not control these costs, we will not be able to control our deficit" soon followed by: "It will keep government out of health care decisions". How will the government stay out of health care decisions, yet control costs. And the more he talks about "controlling costs" the less I think this legislation is about giving uninsured coverage, and putting more "caps" on the medical industry.

3. He refers to the "game of politics" and lists two Republican comments made recently about his plan. Yet, he can do this without the Republicans, it is the conservative Democrats that will possibly put a stop to this bill. So he is playing the game with the rest of them, and really the Republicans are sitting on the political bench, unable to put a complete stop to his policies.

Now I haven't had a chance to read his lengthy responses to the Question and Answer portion, and will hopefully have some analysis for those soon. But so far, I found his message to be concerning. What do you think?