Reporting from Chicago — President Obama today called the cost of healthcare a "ticking time bomb" that threatens to slow the nation's economic recovery as he pushed a massive reform plan during an appearance in Chicago before the nation's largest doctors group.
"We are spending over $2 trillion a year on healthcare -- almost 50% more per person than the next most costly nation," he said during a nearly hourlong speech before the American Medical Assn. "For all this spending, more of our citizens are uninsured, the quality of our care is often lower, and we aren't any healthier."
Awaiting the president at the Hyatt Regency Chicago and elsewhere were protesters who don't think his approach goes far enough, as well as at least some doctors who are concerned he might go too far. Still, Obama was warmly received by the AMA convention, which gave him numerous standing ovations and booed him just once, when he said he does not support caps on malpractice awards.
The appearance marked Obama's latest effort to pitch a massive healthcare proposal -- the top legislative priority of his young presidency -- that is expected to dominate the congressional calendar in the coming weeks ahead of his goal of October passage.
"The cost of our healthcare is a threat to our economy," he said. "It is an escalating burden on our families and businesses. It's a ticking time bomb for the federal budget. And it is unsustainable for the United States of America."
Obama also pointed to the costs incurred by companies to provide healthcare.
"A big part of what led General Motors and Chrysler into trouble in recent decades were the huge costs they racked up providing healthcare for their workers," he said. "If we do not fix our healthcare system, America may go the way of GM: paying more, getting less, and going broke."
The president said the status quo cannot be sustained. "Reform is not a luxury, it is a necessity," he said.
Obama sought to preempt attacks against his plan.
"I understand that fear. I understand the cynicism. There are scars left over from past efforts at reform," he said, pointing to proposals since President Teddy Roosevelt.
"While significant individual reforms have been made -- such as Medicare, Medicaid and the children's health insurance program -- efforts at comprehensive reform that covers everyone and brings down costs have largely failed," he said.
