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President Obama Pitches Healthcare Plan in VA

Associated Press
Wed, July 01, 2009

Obama went to a community college in suburban Virginia Wednesday to again press his case for legislation overhauling the system, saying it's "not too soon" to act on the problem. 

The president says he doesn't want to see people have to pay more for health care as part of his health care overhaul plan, and he says that is why he is not backing the idea of taxing health care benefits.  He told a town hall forum in Annandale that the proposal would help pay for health care reform — but that he thinks a better way to pay for it is to cap itemized deductions.  Obama says his "bottom line" is that people who now have health care shouldn't see their costs go up as part of health care reform.

President Obama also told the crowd at the town hall meeting on health policy that he is standing by his opposition to caps on jury awards to people who successfully sue for medical malpractice.  But Obama also said he is sensitive to the complaints of doctors and other health care professionals that the threat of lawsuits is harming the profession and driving up costs.  The president said that the specter of lawsuits has forced many in the medical community to practice "defensive medicine," saying doctors often order up excessive tests just to cover themselves.  Obama told the audience, "What I have said is that I don't like the idea of an artificial cap on somebody if the doctor of the hospital was really negligent."

President Obama spoke in Virginia as members of Congress continued a Fourth of July week recess away from Washington.  The lawmakers will focus anew on the issue when they return next week.  Republicans have steadfastly spoken out against Obama's proposed overhaul, saying the country can't afford his choices.  Obama acknowledged that the speed with which he is acting is an issue, saying he recognizes that some people think "we're moving too fast."

 

 

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