Gibbs mum on Obama, chides Cantor

WASHINGTON, March 1 (UPI) -- White House spokesman Robert Gibbs wouldn't tip U.S. President Barack Obama's hand Monday regarding his thoughts on how healthcare reform should proceed.

Obama is scheduled to present his ideas this week on the next steps for reform.

"I will wait until we have something from the president then. I do believe the president believes that an up-or-down vote is necessary. I think the Republicans could decide not to filibuster, and that would be one way," Gibbs said during a news briefing. "I think the president will outline what the next steps are and what are the -- what's the way forward on health care reform."

Gibbs said Obama has been involved in discussions on what the next healthcare proposal would look like.

Responding to House Minority Whip Eric Cantor, R-Va., saying if Democrats pushed through a healthcare bill, they would lose their majority, Gibbs said Cantor's argument was disingenuous.

"Congressman Cantor says let's start over, but the healthcare companies aren't starting (over). Healthcare inflation is not starting over," Gibbs said. "Being dropped from your insurance coverage because somebody says you have a pre-existing condition, that's not starting over."

The American people care about what's in the bill, Gibbs said.

Speaking in broader terms, he said Obama has been working on issues that have "vexed Congress and the political system for years, healthcare being one of the bigger ones."

"Congressman Cantor is probably focused almost entirely on the next election," Gibbs said.