Obama Defends Reform Plan

In a New York Times (8/16) op-ed, President Barack Obama outlined "four main ways the reform we're proposing will provide more stability and security to every American.

First, if you don't have health insurance, you will have a choice of high-quality, affordable coverage for yourself and your family -- coverage that will stay with you whether you move, change your job, or lose your job."

Secondly, Obama argues that "reform will finally bring skyrocketing healthcare costs under control, which will mean real savings for families, businesses and our government.

Third, by making Medicare more efficient, we'll be able to ensure that more tax dollars go directly to caring for seniors instead of enriching insurance companies."

Reform will also "provide every American with some basic consumer protections that will finally hold insurance companies accountable" by disallowing them from denying coverage based on a "pre-existing illness or condition. Insurance companies will also be required "to cover routine checkups, preventive care, and screening tests."

Obama warns "the cynics and the naysayers will continue to exploit fear and concerns for political gain. But for all the scare tactics out there, what's truly scary -- truly risky -- is the prospect of doing nothing."