Bloomberg - Orzag says opponents balking on healthcare

By Edwin Chen


July 19 (Bloomberg) -- White House Budget Director Peter Orszag said opponents of overhauling the U.S. health-care system are trying to run out the clock and that the White House still wants Congress to produce legislation by August.

“We need to get this done,” Orszag said on CNN’s “State of the Union” program. “We want to get it done by August.”

Orszag’s comments underscored the mounting tensions between President Barack Obama and many lawmakers of both parties over his deadline for each house of Congress to pass its version of health-care legislation before leaving early next month for a monthlong summer recess.

“It’s the typical Washington bureaucratic game of, if you don’t have a better alternative, just delay in the hope of that kills something,” the budget director said on CNN. “There are those who are advocating delay just as a desperation move to try to kill it.”

Orszag exempted from his accusation “many” lawmakers who, he said, are “actively participating in the debate.”