Obama: Health Care Reform Tied to Controlling Deficit

By: Kevin Hechtkopf
Topics: Health Care

(AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari )

The White House has released excerpts of President Obama's opening statement at tonight's primetime press conference. Not surprisingly, Mr. Obama will focus his statement, expected to be about seven or eight minutes, on his push for health care reform.

To use a basketball analogy, Mr. Obama has been on a full-court press this week to rally the public around health care reform. In a series of speeches and television interviews, the president has made many of the arguments he will make this evening before. But tonight Mr. Obama seeks to reach a larger audience in primetime.

He will start with his rationale behind the push for reform, according to the excerpts.

"This is not just about the 47 million Americans who have no health insurance," he plans to say. "Reform is about every American who has ever feared that they may lose their coverage if they become too sick, or lose their job, or change their job. It's about every small business that has been forced to lay off employees or cut back on their coverage because it became too expensive."

Mr. Obama also ties the fight to the battles to fix the economy and control the deficit.

"I've said that even 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," he plans to say.

And on the deficit, he will say the following: "So let me be clear: if we do not control these costs, we will not be able to control our deficit."

Mr. Obama adds this statement on to his often-stated pledge not to raise the deficit due to health care reform: "I have also pledged that health insurance reform will not add to our deficit over the next decade – and I mean it."

You can watch the press conference tonight at 8 p.m. ET on your CBS television station or here on CBSNews.com.

Here are the full excerpts as released by the White House:

That is why I've said that even 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.

This is not just about the 47 million Americans who have no health insurance. Reform is about every American who has ever feared that they may lose their coverage if they become too sick, or lose their job, or change their job. It's about every small business that has been forced to lay off employees or cut back on their coverage because it became too expensive. And it's about the fact that the biggest driving force behind our federal deficit is the skyrocketing cost of Medicare and Medicaid.

So let me be clear: if we do not control these costs, we will not be able to control our deficit. If we do not reform health care, your premiums and out-of-pocket costs will continue to skyrocket. If we do not act, 14,000 Americans will continue to lose their health insurance every single day. These are the consequences of inaction. These are the stakes of the debate we're having right now.

I realize that with all the charges and criticisms being thrown around in Washington, many Americans may be wondering, "What's in this for me? How does my family stand to benefit from health insurance reform?"

Tonight I want to answer those questions. Because even though Congress is still working through a few key issues, we already have agreement on the following areas:

If you already have health insurance, the reform we're proposing will provide you with more security and more stability. It will keep government out of health care decisions, giving you the option to keep your insurance if you're happy with it. It will prevent insurance companies from dropping your coverage if you get too sick. It will give you the security of knowing that if you lose your job, move, or change your job, you will still be able to have coverage. It will limit the amount your insurance company can force you to pay for your medical costs out of your own pocket. And it will cover preventive care like check-ups and mammograms that save lives and money.

If you don't have health insurance, or are a small business looking to cover your employees, you'll be able to choose a quality, affordable health plan through a health insurance exchange – a marketplace that promotes choice and competition Finally, no insurance company will be allowed to deny you coverage because of a pre-existing medical condition.

I have also pledged that health insurance reform will not add to our deficit over the next decade – and I mean it.
…

I understand how easy it is for this town to become consumed in the game of politics – to turn every issue into running tally of who's up and who's down. I've heard that one Republican strategist told his party that even though they may want to compromise, it's better politics to "go for the kill." Another Republican Senator said that defeating health reform is about "breaking" me.

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…This debate is not a game for these Americans, and they cannot afford to wait for reform any longer. They are counting on us to get this done. They are looking to us for leadership. And we must not let them down. 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.

More Coverage of Obama's Press Conference:

Obama: Changes Will Make People Healthier

Full Transcript Full Video

Obama: Cops Acted "Stupidly" in Professor's Arrest

Obama: "Why Not Pay Half Price?"

Obama: Banks Will Act Recklessly Without Reform

Bob Schieffer: Obama Trying to Take Control

Reality Check: Do Obama's Health Care Claims Hold Up?

Jindal Pans Obama's "Marketing" of Health Plan?

Obama's "Stupid" Comment Disappoints Cop

More Video: Opening Statement On Professor Gates Sacrifices For Healthcare Reform? Politics of Medicare Instant Analysis from Bob Schieffer and Nancy Cordes

Kevin Hechtkopf
Kevin Hechtkopf is CBSNews.com's politics editor.
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by Littliebrother September 14, 2009 5:09 AM EDT: Hi,American land,diseases and accidents are a scourge,it jumps on innocents.
There are speak about hospital-problem and public opinion,do America need hospitals?is doctors opinion needed?Have 30 million wrong?are they socialists?The American are employed by a foreman,is he a socialist that give you work?While we working,others work with other things,then WE come together and develop things also for export,is it socialism?to do something for your land?American NEED to do something to himself,are you afraid for yourself,,you dont care,,you become,is this the way to reasonate with education and studies you should not show your face out society,if you cant go forward.Society WE builded together,and for to make it.Live yours own life,not itself,do very well draw in others to yours own life(with money)because you wont"make it"without them,without man or wife even children,WE dont learn between sociality also socialize,and socialism.
Many people can be sick (also in traffic)and or helped to life,are we borned socialists?what will happen if they cant pay,are not thirs identity also verified by God,havent them also someting to give,that we missed but absolutely not lost,,thru them,,we wont forget,how sick we been,also that life is so much stronger than a,"we dont care",who shall now feel useless?Americans?!take decisions with children and for Americas future.Are the big city so ingrowed,you cant get right sense out of it,when was you given handpicked wildflowers from children lately,and what did they mean with it,maybe to take care and earn some money,at least not to live on it,or for pay hospitalcare,of course children have no income,how many money MUST they earn?when children are socialsick,
shall we take it out of them by call them socialist,when them only needed a hug. Be more Americas future,and attentive on it,go now brush yours teeths America,(hopefully dear comes a not so forreign dentalplan(t)?!too,,)
WHO dare use other wor(l)ds?!,.Health is a serious problem,out society people also MAKE themselfs and others sick in own diffrent ways,on hospital people want to get better,its better on hospital,then out,shouting about s-ism
Care (also comes with hospital)is a natural thing,to heal wounds,is it wrong with our nature?
30 million Americans!step on it,tell also what to do.Americans!dont be stupid,dont make yourself sicker.Do what you need. Thanks! Littliebrother.20090914; Reply to this comment

by TryTakingMyMoney July 22, 2009 8:00 PM EDT

I hope he gets on tonight and continues to spew his lies. "like I said before, if you like your insurance and your doctor you can keep it"...bla, bla, bla, lies, lies, lies. His Waterloo has arrived...Mr. community organizer...get ready to rejoin Rev. Wright! >>>>>>>>>AMERICA !!!!!>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>2010 & 2012! >>>>>>>>>>>Or better yet...impeach this liar!

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by luadda22 July 22, 2009 10:05 PM EDT: taebok, probably the same thing Napoleon said about the Duke of Wellington. "I'll kick your a**", then the smoke cleared.


by mnamolina July 22, 2009 7:55 PM EDT: I wonder if he'll be addressing where he gets the Consitutional authority to nationalize health care? I won't be holding my breath.; Reply to this comment


by davidm2902 July 22, 2009 7:54 PM EDT: Logic, may not be defied, but merely denied.
The idea, that the majority of the 97% of all Americans, not affected by an increase of taxes on the top 3% of America?s highest income earners, to pay for healthcare, denies all logic.
Remember the ?me generation?, we snapped out of that, now, welcome to the ?ether generation?, how much longer will we be under? Unless you?re among the 3% of highest American income earners, Sit- down, Shut-up, and be quiet. Please, you?re not helping.; Reply to this comment

by jab232 July 22, 2009 7:53 PM EDT

I just read that Republican Senator Dick Durbin says we should wait to enact health care reform. Many Republican Senators (and maybe a few Blue Dog Democrats) feel the same. Here is my view--

Of course he wants to put this off. He has the best health care in the USA. I just read the New York Times article today describing congressional health care. Their care even pays for doctor's visits. It has excellent provisions for catastrophic illnesses. And a huge part of the premiums (which are quite high) are subsidized by the federal government.

If it takes forever to do this, Dick Durbin will be all right.

But I also read that the number of uninsured has grown five million in nine months. And that number will probably increase each year.

Ask yourself--Are you sure your insurance company won't cut you off (rescission) if you or a family member has an expensive illness? Or maybe they will just encourage your employer to find a reason to fire you so they don't have to insure you any more.

If you have the kind of insurance which is rescission-free, as Dick Durbin does, you can afford to wait. If you have the kind of insurance most of us have--here today and gone when you get catastrophically sick--, you want congress to act NOW.

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by luadda22 July 22, 2009 10:22 PM EDT: But when asked "would you take the public option?" He made a joke about having a doctor following him around. Great health care if someone else is paying for it.


by radicalc-2009 July 22, 2009 7:43 PM EDT: So let's be clear....; Reply to this comment


by radicalc-2009 July 22, 2009 7:42 PM EDT: The health care bill is tied to affirative action. Among other things, Illegals will not be required to pay a penalty if they don't have insurance. Everyone else will pay!; Reply to this comment

by hamiltongrad July 22, 2009 7:26 PM EDT

Lawyers, have it too good for way too long. Time for CHANGE.

We are all at great risk , everyday, of lawsuits, which could wipe you out, just to defend your Constitutional Rights. Over 100 billion $ is wasted on Medical expenses for fear of attorneys, and the "system."
Remove that part of the system, and there would be more than enough for real health care ( but noooooo.. that would hurt the pals of the gov't - lawyers.)
Anyhow, if medical care is a right, so are legal rights. We need Federal mandates to limit charges of attornies, and make the system much much more efficient - how much time , how many years does it take to have one simple decision ?? Getting paid by the case at hand, and not by the hour is the only sensible way to RESTRUCTURE the faulty LEGAL SYSTEM. Making Loser pay all expenses, as it he case in the UK would help. Making lawyers not able to sue on their own, so that they too would have to "hire" one of their own - sure. All Lawyers should not have "kick backs" from now "finder fees" to get their cousins Vinney as the accountant etc.

The legal System is Broken, and is breaking all of us. Time to REFORM those Lawyers, They've had it too good for too long.

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by luadda22 July 22, 2009 10:12 PM EDT: You've heard that Obama wants to control what everyone is paid except for (wait for it) ---------------------- Lawyers!!!!! A lawyer can get paid $425,000 for representing someone who drops hot coffee in their crotch and he wasn't even the one that got his balls burnt.


by ljmsb52 July 22, 2009 6:58 PM EDT: And at what time are you broadcasting the opposition response to this health care reform bill?; Reply to this comment