President Obama to address Joint Session of Congress next week

President Obama is planning to address a joint session of Congress next Wednesday, September 9th, to discuss healthcare reform legislation.

This is a significant media event, because the last time that the President of the United States addressed a joint session of Congress, other than during the State of the Union, was immediately following the September 11th attacks in 2001. Congress returns Tuesday, September 8th from the recess, so this will mark a kickoff for the impending healthcare debate that is expected to grip Congress over the next several weeks. The White House is reporting that the President will not make the public option a requirement in any legislation. “We have been saying all along that the most important part of this debate is not the public option, but rather ensuring choice and competition,” according to a White House aide. “There are lots of different ways to get there.” Details of the address are still being worked out, specifically whether Obama will discuss broad ideas or give specifics. August marked a heated month for both President Obama and healthcare reform proposals. Polls by Zogby and by Rasmussen Reports have President Obama's approval rating at 42% and 46% respectively, which marks a low point in Mr. Obama's young presidency. The goal of the joint session of Congress is to get healthcare reform efforts back on track, following the month of August. It remains to be seen how the American public, as well as Congress, will react to specific proposals as they are made available in the coming weeks.