President Obama Address 08/22/09

[0:20] ..." and businesses will continue to multiply. We've had a vigorous debate about health insurance reform and rightly so. This is an issue vital concern to every American I'm glad that so many are engaged. But it"...

[0:57] ..." country. Let's start with a false claim that illegal immigrants will get health insurance reform. That's not true illegal immigrants would not be covered that idea has never even been on the table. Some are also"...

[1:51] ..." doctor that I want insurance companies to make arbitrary decisions about what medical care is best for you. As they do today. As I've said from the beginning under the reform we seek if you like your doctor you can keep your doctor. If you like to work private health insurance plan you can keep your plan. Period. Now the source of a lot of these fears about government run health care is"...

[3:24] ..." job or change jobs you will not have to worry about losing health coverage. And we will set up tough consumer protections the whole insurance companies accountable and stop them from exporting you with unfair practices."...

[4:13] ..." and colonoscopy -- There's no reason we shouldn't be catching diseases like breast cancer and colon cancer on the front. That makes sense that saves lives and you'll also save money over the long run. Taken"...

[5:47] ..." a difference overnight. But I can promise you this if we pass health insurance reform. We will look back many years from now and say this was the moment he summoned what's best in each of"...

[0:02]" Each and every day in this country. Americans are grappling with health care premiums that are -- three times the rate of wages. An insurance company policies that limit coverage and -- out of pocket costs. Thousands are losing their insurance coverage each day. Without real reform. The burdens on America's families and businesses will continue to multiply. We've had a vigorous debate about health insurance reform and rightly so. This is an issue vital concern to every American I'm glad that so many are engaged. But it also should be an honest debate. Not one dominated by willful misrepresentations. And outright distortions. Spread by the very folks would benefit the most. By keeping things exactly as they are. So today I wanna spend a few minutes debunks some of the more outrageous myths circulating on the Internet on cable TV. And repeated at some town halls across this country. Let's start with a false claim that illegal immigrants will get health insurance reform. That's not true illegal immigrants would not be covered that idea has never even been on the table. Some are also saying that coverage for abortions would be mandated under reform. Also faults. When it comes to the current ban on using tax dollars for abortions. Nothing will change under reform. And is every credible person who has looked into it has said there are no so called death camps and offensive notion to me and to the American people. These -- phony claims meant to divide us. And we've all heard the charge that reform will somehow bring about a government take over health care. And lets out -- many folks it's out scared me to. But here's the -- it's not true. I -- sooner or want government to get between you and your doctor that I want insurance companies to make arbitrary decisions about what medical care is best for you. As they do today. As I've said from the beginning under the reform we seek if you like your doctor you can keep your doctor. If you like to work private health insurance plan you can keep your plan. Period. Now the source of a lot of these fears about government run health care is confusion over what's called the public option. This is one idea among many. To provide more competition and Schwartz is specially in the many places around the country -- just one insurer thoroughly dominate the marketplace. This alternative would have to operate as any other insurer on the basis of the premiums it collects. And let me repeat it would just be an option. Those who prefer their private insurers would be under no obligation to shift to a public plan. The insurance companies and their allies don't like the site or any that would promote greater competition I get that. And I expect there will be a lot of discussion about when congress returns. But this one aspect of health care debate shouldn't overshadow the other important steps we can and must take. To reduce the increasing burdens families and business space. So let me stress then again. If you don't have insurance you'll finally have access to all the coverage you can fort. If you do have coverage you'll benefit from more security and more stability when it comes to your insurance. If you move lose your job or change jobs you will not have to worry about losing health coverage. And we will set up tough consumer protections the whole insurance companies accountable and stop them from exporting you with unfair practices. Will prohibit insurance companies from denying coverage because of a person's medical history. -- will not be able to drop your coverage if you get sick. They will not be able to water down your coverage when you needed most. They will no longer be able to place some arbitrary cap on the amount of coverage you can receive in a given year or lifetime. We'll place a limit on how much you can be charged for out of pocket expenses because no one in America should go broke because -- gets. And we won't require insurance companies to cover routine checkups preventive care like mammograms and colonoscopy -- There's no reason we shouldn't be catching diseases like breast cancer and colon cancer on the front. That makes sense that saves lives and you'll also save money over the long run. Taken together the reforms were seeking more help bring down skyrocketing cost which will mean real savings for families. Businesses and government. We know what failure to act would or more of the -- More of the same exploding cost more of the same diminished coverage. If we fail to act the crisis will -- More families will go without coverage more business will be forced to drop or watered down their plants. So can push off the day of record and failed to deal with flaws in the system just as Washington has done year after year decade after decade. Or we can take steps that will provide every American family and business a measure of security and stability but they like today. It's never been easy moving this nation for are always those who -- And those who used -- to block change. But what is always distinguished America is that when all the arguments -- hurt all the concerns have been boards. And the time comes to do what must be done. We rise above our differences. Rescue each other's hands and march forward as one nation and one people. Some of us Democrats some of us Republicans. All of us Americans. This is our chance to march -- I can't promise you that the reforms we seek will be perfect or make a difference overnight. But I can promise you this if we pass health insurance reform. We will look back many years from now and say this was the moment he summoned what's best in each of us to make life better for all us. This is the moment when we built the health care system worthy of the nation and people we'd -- This -- the moment we earn our place alongside the greatest generations. And that is what our generation Americans is called to do right now."