President Obama, speaking from the Group of 8 summit in Italy on Friday, insisted that healthcare legislation was on track despite a week of fits and starts on Capitol Hill.
"There are going to be some tough negotiations in the days and weeks to come, but I'm confident that we're going to get it done," Obama told reporters. "We're closer to that significant reform than at any time in recent history."
The president, who called healthcare his "highest legislative priority" over the next month, said he would be working to allay fears about the effects of an overhaul.
"We have a long history in America of scaring people that they're going to lose their doctor, they're going to lose their healthcare plans, they're going to be stuck with some bureaucratic government system that's not responsive to their needs," Obama said.
"And overcoming that fear -- fear that is often actively promoted by special interests who profit from the existing system -- is a challenge."
--
noam.levey@latimes.com
