Obama Stumps For Health Care, Corzine

President Barack Obama returned to campaign-style rhetoric on Thursday, telling a political rally that inaction is not an option and urging allies to push for his overhaul of the nation's health care system.

During a political fundraiser for New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine, the president said the costs of health care will continue to increase unless Congress delivers legislation that would dramatically change the way Americans receive health care. He said he will not accept the current system and his critics misunderstand the challenges that face the country.

"The fact is, health care affects the financial security and well-being of every American, even those who have health insurance," Obama said. "It affects the stability of our entire economy."

Obama told the gathering, which drew more than 17,000 people on a sweaty afternoon - the president's first political rally since taking office - that he is confident Congress will take action on health care before they leave on an August recess. The lawmakers' action, however, is only the first step toward the president's goal.

"We have finally reached a point when inaction is no longer an option," Obama said, his hoarse voice rising in volume and anger. "I will not defend the status quo."

Obama brushed off his opponents as naysayers who expect a different outcome with the same-old approaches to a decades-old challenge.

"It's a path where our health care costs keep rising. ... That's not a future I accept," Obama told the friendly audience.

Obama said recession is linked with the burden of the health care system on the economy.

"We inherited an economy where Washington didn't pay for anything," Obama said, returning to campaign-style rhetoric.

"That was the America of yesterday. We're now looking at the America of tomorrow."

He said the nation's fiscal future depends on changing the health care system: "Health care reform is deficit reform."