Addressing what he called "entirely legitimate" skepticism, the president vowed that health-care reform would drive down costs, eventually saving families thousands of dollars. But he struggled to explain how any of the measures under consideration would fulfill that promise.
For the past week, Obama has engaged in a two-pronged campaign to woo recalcitrant lawmakers and sell nervous voters from the bully pulpit. The news conference seemed to be intended less to stake out new ground than to calm a nation still reeling from the economic meltdown. "The American people are understandably queasy about the huge deficits and debt that we're facing right now," he said.
The president has been under pressure to explain how far-reaching legislation would translate into eventual savings for families, businesses and the government. Over the long term, Obama said, he anticipates slowing the rate of health-care spending by digitizing medical records, eliminating duplication and waste, and revolutionizing the way doctors are paid.
He rejected the idea that reform would require sacrifice for most, and dismissed suggestions that Medicare spending might decrease, raising costs for seniors.
