Reports Suggest Obama Prepping for Ruling Against Reform Law

In recent weeks, White House officials have said publicly that they are confident that the U.S. Supreme Court will uphold the federal health reform law and its individual mandate, but the administration privately has indicated doubts about the ruling, The Hill's "Healthwatch" reports.

The ruling is expected this month (Viebeck, "Healthwatch," The Hill, 6/1).

Obama's Remarks

At a Democratic fundraiser in New York City last month, President Obama reportedly told attendees that he might need to revise parts of the overhaul in a second term, depending on how the high court rules, according to Bloomberg.

Recently, Obama has made similar remarks in response to donors' questions at other fundraising events, Bloomberg reports.

In addition, White House officials reportedly are working with health reform groups to develop a public response to the Supreme Court's decision and the debate that is expected to follow.

A May 16 memo obtained by Bloomberg that was sent to health reform supporters by the Herndon Alliance said, "The best way to demonstrate public outrage or public celebration about the decision is to stage an event that shows average people actually responding to the news" (Nichols, Bloomberg, 5/31).

According to "Healthwatch," five Democratic activists confirmed Bloomberg's reports.

White House Response

However, White House spokesperson Jay Carney dismissed the report, writing in an email to the news agency that "your reporting, attributed to unnamed sources, inaccurately reflects the president's views" ("Healthwatch," The Hill, 6/1).