Preisdent Obama Address 10/17/2009

[0:44] ..." urgency of action. Just this week the Senate Finance Committee approved a reform proposal that has both democratic and Republican support. For the first time ever all five committees in congress responsible for health reform has"...

[1:18] ..." kill reform at any cost. The history is clear. For decades rising health care costs have unleashed havoc on families businesses and the economy. And for decades whenever we have tried to reform the system the insurance"...

[1:55] ..." that represents the CEO's of major companies. Found that without significant reform health care costs for these employers and their employees. Well well more than double again over the next decade. The cost per person for health"...

[2:42] ..." quo. They're filling the airwaves were deceptive and dishonest stance that flooding Capitol Hill with lobbyists and campaign contributions. And their funding studies designed to mislead the American people. Of course like clockwork we've seen folks"...

[3:31] ..." the bill. Including tax credits and cost savings that will greatly benefit middle class families. Given the offers of one of these studies have now admitted publicly that the insurance companies actually asked them to do"...

[0:00]" For the better part of the past year a great debate has taken place in Washington and across America. About how to reform our health care system to provide security for people with -- insurance coverage for those without insurance at lower costs for everyone. From the halls of congress to homes of ordinary Americans this debate has helped us to forge consensus and find common ground. That's a good thing that's what America's all about. Now as the debate draws to a close we can point to a broad and growing coalition doctors and nurses. Workers and businesses hospitals. And even drug companies. Folks who represented different parties and perspectives including leading Democrats and many leading Republicans. Who recognized the urgency of action. Just this week the Senate Finance Committee approved a reform proposal that has both democratic and Republican support. For the first time ever all five committees in congress responsible for health reform has passed a version of legislation. Let's beat -- today we are closer to reforming the health care system that we have ever been in history but this is not the time to pat ourselves on the back. There's not the time to grow complacent. There are still significant details and disagreements to be worked out in the coming weeks and they're still those who would try to kill reform at any cost. The history is clear. For decades rising health care costs have unleashed havoc on families businesses and the economy. And for decades whenever we have tried to reform the system the insurance companies have done everything in their considerable power to stop us. We know that this an action has carried a terrible toll. In the past decade premiums have doubled. Over the past few years total out of pocket costs for people without insurance rose by a third. And we know that we do not reform the system this will only be a preview of coming attractions. A new report for the business roundtable a nonpartisan group that represents the CEO's of major companies. Found that without significant reform health care costs for these employers and their employees. Well well more than double again over the next decade. The cost per person for health insurance will rise by about 18000. Dollars. To huge amount of money. That's -- mean lower salaries and higher unemployment or profits and higher roles of uninsured. It's no exaggeration to say that unless we act these costs will devastate the US economy. This is the unsustainable path war on this -- the insurers wanna keep us off. In fact insurance industry is rolling up big guns and breaking out their massive war just. To Marshal their forces for one last fight to save the status quo. They're filling the airwaves were deceptive and dishonest stance that flooding Capitol Hill with lobbyists and campaign contributions. And their funding studies designed to mislead the American people. Of course like clockwork we've seen folks on cable television who know better waving these industry funded studies in the air. We've seen industry insiders and their apologists citing these studies as proof of claims that just aren't true. They'll claim the premiums will go up under reform but they know that the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. Found the reforms will lower premiums in a new insurance exchange while offering consumers protections. That will limit out of pocket costs and prevent discrimination based on preexisting conditions. Don't claim that you'll have to pay more out of pocket. But they know that this is based on a study that willfully ignores whole sections of the bill. Including tax credits and cost savings that will greatly benefit middle class families. Given the offers of one of these studies have now admitted publicly that the insurance companies actually asked them to do an incomplete job. It's smoke and mirrors it's bogus. It's all too familiar. Every time we get close to passing reform the insurance companies produce these phony studies as prescription and say tech wannabes and Collison decade. Well not this time. The fact is the insurance industry is making this last ditch effort to stop perform. Even has cost continue to rise in our health care dollars continue to be poured into their profits bonuses and administrative costs that do nothing to make -- help for. But often actually go toward figuring out how to avoid covering people. And their earning these profits and bonuses while enjoying a privileged exception for more anti trust laws a matter the congress is rightfully review. Now I welcome -- good debate. I welcome the chance to defend our proposals and a test our ideas in the fires of this democracy. What I will not abide those would bend the truth or break it to score political points and stop our progress is a country. And what we almost oppose with the same old cynical Washington games have been played for decades even as our problems have grown and are challenges have mild to. Last November the American people went to the polls in historic numbers and demanded change. They wanted a change our policies. But they also sought a change our politics. A politics but too often has fallen -- lobbyists and special interest -- Foster division and sustain the status quo. Passing health insurance reform is a great test of this proposition. Yes -- will make a profound and positive difference in the lives of the American people but it also now represented something more. Whether or not we as a nation are capable of tackling our toughest challenges. If we conserve the national interest despite. Unrelenting efforts of the special interests. If we can still do big things in America. I believe we camp. I believe we will. And I urge every member of congress to stand against the power players and political points. And stand up on behalf of the American people who sentenced to Washington to do their business. --"