Obama: Health Reform Crucial to Rebuilding Economy

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Source: Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama said on Wednesday a healthcare overhaul was central to his economic recovery effort and vowed to push reforms through this year, as he scrambled to overcome doubts about the plan in Congress.

"If we do not control these costs, we will not be able to control our deficit," Obama said in excerpts of prepared remarks for his opening statement at a prime-time news conference to be held later on Wednesday.

Obama was set to take his case to the American public for a broad healthcare revamp even as congressional leaders struggled to find common ground on the cost and scope of a proposal that the president has made his top legislative priority.

"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," Obama said.

more: http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-HealthcareReform/idUSTRE56H12J20090722