Obama Talks About Healthcare Legislation and Climate Change

Obama offers positive reviews in the development and emergence of national and world legislation on both fronts.

President Barack Obama White House Photo, Lawrence Jackson, 12/17/09

(WASHINGTON D.C.) - President Obama begins a statement to the American public about healthcare and climate change by discussing what he calls, "significant progress" that is being made on both fronts. He says the ultimate priority is "The crushing cost of health care and our dangerous dependence on fossil fuels."

"On health care, with today’s developments it now appears that the American people will have the vote they deserve on genuine reform that offers security to those who have health insurance and affordable options for those who do not. And so I want to thank Senator Harry Reid and every senator who’s been working around the clock to make this happen."

Obama says there is still much work ahead, and the time necessary to accomplish certain goals is is running out. He does say that today is a major step forward for the American people. After struggling for almost a century, the President says he believes we are on the "cusp of making health care reform a reality in the United States of America."

Compromise is part of the package, the President says, stating that this is the case with any legislation.

"But I'm pleased that recently added amendments have made this landmark bill even stronger. Between the time the bill passes and the time when the insurance exchange gets up and running, there will now be penalties for insurance companies that arbitrarily jack up rates on consumers. And while insurance companies will be prevented from denying coverage on the basis of pre-existing conditions once the exchange is open, in the meantime there will be a high risk pool where people with pre-existing conditions can purchase affordable coverage."

A recent amendment, according to Obama, makes the protections even stronger.

"Insurance companies will now be prohibited from denying coverage to children immediately after this bill passes. There’s also explicit language in this bill that will protect a patient’s choice of doctor. And small businesses will get additional assistance as well."

He says they are the same protections that have been under discussion for some time, in addition to some new ones. "No longer will insurance companies be able to drop your coverage if you become sick, and no longer will you have to pay unlimited amounts out of your own pocket for treatments that you need." the President stated.

"Under this bill, families will save on their premiums; businesses that will see their costs rise if we don’t act, will save money now and in the future. This bill will strengthen Medicare and extend the life of the program. Because it’s paid for and gets rid of waste and inefficiency in our health care system, this will be the largest deficit reduction plan in over a decade. In fact, we just learned from the Congressional Budget Office that this bill will reduce our deficit by $132 billion over the first decade of the program, and more than one trillion dollars in the decade after that."

Under the plan, the reform will make coverage affordable for over 30 million Americans who don’t have it, according to Obama.

"As I said before, these are not small changes. These are big changes. They’re fundamental reforms. They will save money. They will save lives. And I look forward to working with the Senate and the House to finish the work that remains, so that we can make this reform a reality for the American people."

Copenhagen

The President says progress has been made in Copenhagen.

"For the first time in history all of the major -– the world’s major economies have come together to accept their responsibility to take action to confront the threat of climate change. After extremely difficult and complex negotiations, this important breakthrough lays the foundation for international action in the years to come."

In the U.S., Obama says that means building a clean energy economy with the potential to create millions of new jobs and new industries, and also the passage of legislation that will create the incentives necessary to spark what they describe as a "clean energy revolution".

"So even though we have a long way to go, there’s no question that we’ve accomplished a great deal over the last few days. And I want America to continue to lead on this journey, because if America leads in developing clean energy, we will lead in growing our economy and putting our people back to work, and leaving a stronger and more secure country to our children. That's why I went to Copenhagen yesterday, and that's why I will continue in these efforts in the weeks and months to come."

The President made his statements from the White House Diplomatic Reception Room.