With Congress away, Obama takes health care pitch on the road and via the Internet

September 13th, 2009 Obama works to stay in control of health debateWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is working to reclaim the initiative from critics of his health care initiative and boost momentum to push his chief domestic priority through Congress. Obama kept up a steady weekend drumbeat of cheerleading for his health care plan in a campaign-style rally, on the radio and Internet, and on network television.

September 12th, 2009 Obama to attend health care rallyWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is traveling to Minneapolis for a rally on health care reform. Minnesota is an example of where Obama wants the rest of the country to go on health care.

August 16th, 2009 Obama confident health care overhaul coming soonWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says he's confident his drive to overhaul health care will succeed. The president writes in Sunday's New York Times about "health insurance reform" and says his attempt to overhaul the system is closer to reality "than we have ever been." Obama cites support from the American Nurses Association, the powerful American Medical Association and the AARP for big changes.

August 14th, 2009 Obama assails health insurance companiesBELGRADE, Mont. — President Barack Obama says Americans are being held hostage by health insurance companies that deny coverage based on pre-existing conditions or cancel coverage when people get sick.

July 29th, 2009 Obama takes health care pitch back to peopleWASHINGTON — His health care vision and political clout on the line, President Barack Obama is using virtually every tool available in a publicity campaign to pressure Congress for swift legislative approval and to rally a public wary of the ongoing Washington tussle over his top domestic priority. Prime-time news conference and network television interviews? Check.

July 29th, 2009 Obama takes health care pitch to people _ againWASHINGTON — His health care vision and political clout on the line, President Barack Obama is using virtually every tool available in a publicity campaign to pressure Congress for swift legislative approval and to rally a public wary of the ongoing Washington tussle over his top domestic priority. Prime-time news conference and network television interviews? Check.

July 28th, 2009 Obama: Existing health system threatens MedicareWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is telling participants in an online forum on health care that the current system and its skyrocketing costs are a threat to Medicare. Obama says the Medicare trust fund will be in the red and out of money in a decade unless Washington overhauls the system.

July 23rd, 2009 Obama open to finance plans for health careWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says he is open to the proposals emerging in Congress to pay for health care overhaul. At a prime-time news conference Wednesday, Obama said few lawmakers had embraced his proposal to limit itemized deductions for the wealthiest Americans.

July 23rd, 2009 Obama: Lots of agreement on health overhaulWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says lawmakers and he are in general agreement on important parts of a potential health care overhaul. Obama planned to say Wednesday night that the proposals would add stability to existing plans.

July 17th, 2009 Obama quickly plans health care statementWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama has quickly scheduled a statement on health care for Friday afternoon as concerns rise about the cost of new legislation. Obama wants to sign a bill into law this year that would slow the rate of health care spending and expand health coverage to the millions of people who lack it.

July 16th, 2009 Obama pushing hard for health care overhaulWASHINGTON — With votes set in the House, President Barack Obama is still pounding away hard for a bill overhauling the health care system before Congress takes a summer recess. In a nationally broadcast interview, Obama acknowledged a controversy over the cost of reinventing the system at a time when the economy remains hobbled, but declared: "There is no free lunch." In one of a series of network interviews, he said it's time to stop "putting money into things that aren't making people healthy." Obama has proposed increasing taxes on well-off people to help underwrite the cost.

July 15th, 2009 Obama praises progress on health care overhaulWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says his administration will push through an overhaul of the nation's health care system and is urging Congress to finish the work before leaving for an August recess. Obama on Wednesday praised House and Senate versions of a bill to expand health care coverage to millions of Americans.

July 10th, 2009 Obama to Congress: Health care legislation by Aug.L'AQUILA, Italy — Despite snags in Congress, President Barack Obama says his administration is closer to achieving health care reform than at any time in recent history. He says he hopes Congress will pass health care legislation by the August recess but "nothing is do or die." Obama says he is making health care his "highest legislative priority".

June 23rd, 2009 Obama voicing confidence on health care changesWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says he's "very optimistic" about the prospects for legislation revamping health care, arguing that the country simply must control skyrocketing costs in this field. He told a news conference th at unless the government acts now, the country will spend $1 out of every $5 on health care within the next 10 years.

June 11th, 2009 Obama: Cooperation with Hill needed on health careGREEN BAY, Wis. — President Barack Obama is vowing that he won't run roughshod over Congress in putting together legislation overhauling the country's health care system.