Obama pitches health-care plan

President Barack Obama hugged a cancer patient Wednesday at an emotional forum before a supportive audience and vowed to bring greater efficiency and accessibility to the nation’s health-care system.

Debby Smith, 53, of Appalachia, Va., a volunteer for Obama’s political operation, fought tears as she told the president of her kidney cancer and her inability to obtain health insurance or hold a job. Obama embraced her and called her “exhibit A” in what he said was an unsustainable system that is too expensive and complex for millions of Americans.

“We are going to try to find ways to help you immediately,” he told Smith as hundreds looked on at a community college forum — and countless others watched on television. But the nation’s long-term needs require a greater emphasis on preventive care and “cost-effective care,” he said.

Other topics covered during the forum were:

Taxing health care
Obama said he doesn’t want to see people have to pay more for health care as part of his health-care overhaul plan.

And he said that’s why he’s not backing the idea of taxing health-care benefits. He said the proposal would help pay for health-care reform — but that he thinks a better way to pay for it is to cap itemized deductions.

Obama says his “bottom line” is that people who now have health care shouldn’t see their costs go up as part of health-care reform.

Single-payer system
Obama once again rejected the idea of a “single-payer” health-care system, as opposed to the one he envisions that would preserve private insurers but would add a government-run option.

He said he doesn’t want to “suddenly upend” a system that provides health care for the vast majority of Americans.

Obama said the public option will provide “competition and choice” and “keep insurers honest.”

Malpractice costs
Obama stood by his opposition to caps on jury awards to people who successfully sue for medical malpractice.

But he also said he is sensitive to the complaints of doctors and other health-care professionals that the threat of lawsuits is harming the profession and driving up costs.

The president said the specter of lawsuits has forced many in the medical community to practice “defensive medicine,” saying doctors often order up excessive tests just to cover themselves.

“What I have said is that I don’t like the idea of an artificial cap on somebody if the doctor of the hospital was really negligent,” Obama said.

Cost of plan
Obama said he recognizes the heavy price tag of revamping the health-care system but that it would be much more costly to do nothing.

He spoke as members of Congress continued a Fourth of July week recess away from Washington. The lawmakers will focus anew on the issue when they return next week. Republicans have steadfastly spoken out against Obama’s proposed overhaul, saying the country can’t afford his choices.

Obama acknowledged that the speed with which he is acting is an issue, saying he recognizes that some people think “we’re moving too fast.”