Obama: health care reform urgent, indisputable

[cal04]

Source: Associated Press

President Barack Obama says it is time for the country to take action on his proposed health care overhaul because "we've talked this problem to death."

Obama said that out-of-pocket costs for Americans are spiraling while health insurance companies have reaped record profits. He alosaid families are spending more for less care.

Obama visited a children's hospital Monday and spoke with doctors and nurses about the shortcomings of the health care system. He said they are forced to work in a system that favors drug companies and insurance companies, not care.

Obama said the need for change is urgent and indisputable. He says those who oppose him want to preserve the status quo. He says changing the system is more important than politics or his personal reputation.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090720/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_obama_health_care_overhaul

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http://www.necn.com/Boston/Health/2009/07/20/Obama-Weve-talked-health/1248111634.html
video of his speech
underneath the video
Obama: We've talked health care problem 'to death,' must 'act now'

[WriteDown]

1. Sorry B, no big payoff to the insurance companies....

start talking the Swedish or Swiss model and maybe people will start listening.

[Alhena]

2. I want to believe, then I read that the pharma companies are getting everything

they ask for in negotiations with Congress. I just don't trust any good legislation to come out of our political process. I'm not sure whether doing nothing would be better though.

[WriteDown]

3. My buddy is a CFO of a giant health insurance provider...

He says they are very excited about this bill. That should tell you something.

[foginthemorn]

6. It does. But not what I want to hear.

[BonnieJW]

4. What I'd like to know is

what are they doing about the huge deductibles and co-pays? OK, so they get everyone covered. That doesn't take care of all these other charges. Many people who had insurance and lost everything blame all the co-pays and deductibles. I got sick last month for the first time in years. My co-pays and deductibles came to $350 and I have "good" insurance. I didn't have to go to the hospital or anything. These charges came from office visits. I'm not even counting the co-pays for the drugs.

[foginthemorn]

7. There was suspose to be some big deal---the insurance

companies promised not to raise premiums too much. I forget the details but Pharm was involved also. But I do not trust them.

[Romulox]

5. No time to talk, eh? Reminds me of early 2003... nt

[Zhade]

8. ...and doomed to fail because of your broken promises.

Once again: