by Jameson Shank

Universal healthcare has become synonymous with President Obama’s push for healthcare reform, but now there is evidence suggesting a change of focus could be coming.

On August 15th, Obama spoke at a town hall meeting in Grand Junction, Colorado, telling those in attendance that a public insurance plan doesn’t rule his efforts for reform.

Questions concerning President Obama’s comments were directed at White House spokesman Robert Gibbs at a news conference on August 18th.  Gibbs told reporters that the President is “…open to looking at and discussing other ideas.” Gibbs also commented that Obama stands by the idea of a public insurance option, contrasting his previous statement.

Democratic leaders consider the establishment of public healthcare to be vital to reform and are growing impatient with Obama’s wishy-washy behavior, Republicans continue to be against the idea of nationalized healthcare system, and the public remains considerably mixed on the efforts of the Obama administration.