NEW YORK—President Barack Obama tried to build support for his health care bill Wednesday evening in a prime time address to public, emphasizing that without reform Americans and the U.S. economy will suffer.
“We will pass reform that lowers cost, promotes choice, and provides coverage that every American can count on, and we will do it this year,” said Obama.
President Obama repeatedly referred to letters he received from Americans suffering from health care that isn’t working or is costing too much.
“This debate is not a game for these Americans, and they can’t afford to wait any longer for reform. They’re counting on us to get this done.”
Obama is pushing to have his health care passed before Congress’s month-long recess in August despite an increasing number of naysayers. So far, Republicans have widely objected to the bill’s $1 trillion price tag and moderate Democrat congressmen, known as “Blue Dogs,” have raised concerns about how it will be funded. State governors from both parties have also raised concerns that they will have to shoulder too much of the cost.
Staying away from criticizing any specific opponents of the bill, Obama made a strong case for the fact that the current system needs to be changed.
“If somebody told you that there is a plan out there that is guaranteed to double your health care costs over the next 10 years, that’s guaranteed to result in more Americans losing their health care, and that is by far the biggest contributor to our federal deficit, I think most people would be opposed to that.
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Well, that’s status quo. That’s what we have right now,” he said.
Multiple questions were raised at the press conference about Americans having to sacrifice the quality of their health care, including reductions in tests, referrals, choice, and end-of-life care.
“They’re going to have to give up paying for things that don’t make them healthier. And I—speaking as an American, I think that’s the kind of change you want,” deflected the president.
As Obama’s job approval ratings have sunk, some have seen the teetering health care bill as a possible make or break for his presidency. Obama deflected such notions squarely.
“So let me be clear: This isn’t about me. I have great health insurance, and so does every member of Congress. This debate is about the letters I read when I sit in the Oval Office every day and the stories I hear at town hall meetings,” he said.
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