Obama: "I guarantee you...we are going to get health care done."

[ProSense]

On talk radio, Obama stands by health care plan

CHARLES BABINGTON
AP Features

Aug 20, 2009 12:53 EST

President Barack Obama said Thursday any health care overhaul bill he signs must reduce rapidly rising health care costs, protect consumers from insurance abuses and provide affordable choices to the uninsured — while not adding to the federal deficit.

Obama listed those four "bullet points" as his basic requirements in response to a question from a caller to a Philadelphia-based talk radio show. Host Michael Smerconish interviewed Obama at the White House during the show and Obama took questions from several listeners.

Another caller said he sensed the administration's "knees buckling" under criticism of the proposals. Obama said he was as determined as ever and "I guarantee you, Joe, we are going to get health care done."

"Choice, competition, reducing cost, those are the things I want to see accomplished in this health care bill," Obama said.

more

Obama: Nothing wrong with having public option health care choice

NECN: Washington) - President Barack Obama was interviewed this afternoon by Philadelphia-based radio talk show host Michael Smerconish.

Obama stood by his position that a public option for health insurance coverage should be considered as part of legislation to overhaul the health care system.

"We have consistently talked about the need for health care reform...there are a number of components of health care," said Obama.

"Public option would give you affordable health insurance," said Obama. "We think that the key is cost, control, competition, making sure that people have good, quality options."

"We gotta change, because the status quo is unacceptable," said Obama.

The president also said, "I see nothing wrong with having public option as one choice" and said that no one should be "obligated to go into a public plan."