WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – President Barack Obama said yesterday his healthcare overhaul needed a public insurance option to enforce market “discipline,” but stopped short of saying he would veto legislation without one.
Obama, who has made healthcare reform a top legislative priority, said he would insist Congress pass a plan to control skyrocketing costs and cut the number of uninsured. But he added “we have not drawn lines in the sand” on other issues.
“The public plan, I think, is an important tool to discipline insurance companies,” Obama told a White House news conference. “I think there is going to be some healthy debate about the shape that this takes.”
The United States spends some $2.5 trillion annually on healthcare, about 16 percent of gross domestic product, but trails many developed countries on important measures of health. Some 47 million Americans are uninsured and have little access to the healthcare system.
Obama, who promised reform during his presidential campaign, has stepped up his efforts to sell the public on his proposals, holding a series of speeches and meetings, including one at the White House set for tonight.
In an interview with ABC’s “Good Morning America” to be aired today, Obama said he “absolutely” believed Congress would pass healthcare reform this year because “the American people understand it has to get done.”
