By Josephine Marcotty, Rachel E. Stassen-Berger, and Mike Kaszuba, Star Tribune staff writers
Summary: Minneapolis was President Obama’s first stop to push his health care reform. About 17,000 people packed into the Target Center Saturday to hear his speech. This reform will include people with or without jobs, elimination of coverage caps and a public option. President Obama showed his support of health insurance exchanges, which would allow negotiation for lower prices. If the exchange doesn’t make health insurance affordable to all, the federal government will provide tax credits. When President Obama announced his public insurance option, the crowd gave a huge applause. However, this has been described as a deal-breaker by Republicans. President Obama would make the public insurance option only as an option, not a requirement to choose. The crowd roared their approval again and again, even as they were exiting. Before and after the speech the crowd was mostly peaceful, except for the few shouting matches. This rally could be a turning point to the negative images portrayed at congressional town hall meetings across the country.
Michelle
Your coverage of the president's stop here in Minneapolis was interesting to read. I am happy to hear that the crowd was mostly peaceful. I wonder if Obama's public meeting here will influence more people to support his health care plan?
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