Obama appeals to nation over healthcare reform
Barack Obama says ambitious healthcare reforms must be passed this year in United States
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Thursday, 23, Jul 2009 10:14
By Matthew Champion.
The "stars are aligned" for ambitious healthcare reform plans to be adopted in the United States, Barack Obama has insisted.
In a rare prime-time televised news conference last night, the US president launched a staunch defence of his proposals amid Congressional consternation.
President Obama has been accused of trying to rush through reforms that many on Capitol Hill are sceptical about over the extra strain they will place on Washington's deficit.
But the president last night directly linked continued economic recovery to passing the reform plans, which he hopes will reduce health costs, increase choice and widen coverage.
"Even as we rescue this economy from a full-blown crisis, we must rebuild it stronger than before - and health insurance reform is central to that effort," he said.
"If we do not control these costs, we will not be able to control our deficit. If we do not reform health care, your premiums and out-of-pocket costs will continue to skyrocket."
The reform plans are expected to cost $1 trillion, with Mr Obama urging opponents to take the long-term view that reducing healthcare costs - that currently take up one fifth of the country's GDP - was the priority.
"I understand people are feeling uncertain about this. They are feeling anxious," the president continued.
"I'm rushed because I get letters every day from families that are being clobbered by health care costs, and they ask me can you help."
He added: "This debate is not a game. This isn't about me - I have great health insurance and so does every member of Congress."
Forty-seven million Americans do not currently have health insurance, but a proposal for solely government-funded insurance appeared to have been dropped last night.
Republicans and sceptical Democrats are aligned against 'big government' solutions to the country's problems.
"If they try to fix our healthcare system like they've tried to rescue our economy, I think we're in really, really big trouble," said House of Representatives Republican leader John Boehner.