Obama pushes health reform at Ohio stop

Mar 16, 2010 — Akron Beacon Journal

Cheryl Powell

Mar. 16, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- President Barack Obama embraced the sister of an uninsured Medina woman who has become his leading example of why health-care reform is needed.

Natoma Canfield, 50, couldn't introduce the president during his Northeast Ohio visit on Monday as originally planned.

The long-time cancer survivor is in the Cleveland Clinic after being diagnosed several days ago with life-threatening leukemia.

Appearing before a crowd of about 800 people at a city recreation and senior center in Strongsville, Obama urged immediate passage of health-care reform.

"I'm here because of Natoma," he said. "I'm here because of countless others who have been forced to face the hardest and most terrifying challenges in their lives with the additional burden of medical bills they can't pay. That's why we need health reform right now."

The self-employed cleaning person earned national attention this month after writing to the president to share her story about being forced to drop her health insurance because it became too expensive.

The president read her letter at a meeting with health insurance executives to plead his case for reform.

Sister steps in

Her sister, Connie Anderson, introduced Obama on Monday in her place.

"My sister, a self-employed, strong woman, was no longer able to afford health insurance," Anderson said. "We can't allow Natoma and the millions like her to go unnoticed. Make no mistake -- we do need health-care reform, and we need it now."

Obama's campaign-style appearance in the Buckeye state on Monday came at a critical time in his presidency, as the health-care bill he has touted is expected to come up to the House floor this week.

Protesters deride plan

Republican leaders continue to fight the president's reform plans, which they criticize as a government takeover of health care with job-killing tax hikes.

Several dozen protesters with anti-Obama signs lined the street near Monday's event.

"Just say no to Obamacare," one sign read.

"Impeach the President-in-Thief," commanded another.

During his half-hour speech, Obama dismissed critics by saying: "I don't believe we should give the government or the insurance companies more control over health care in America. I believe it's time to give you -- the American people -- more control over your own health insurance.

"That's what our proposed plan does. Our plan builds on the current system where most Americans get their health insurance from their employer. If you like your plan, you can keep your plan."

He said the health-reform bill would:

-- Forbid insurance companies from dropping people from coverage if they get sick.

-- Require insurers to cover preventive care.

-- Allow young adults to remain on their parents' plan until they're 26.

-- Set up buying pools for individuals and small businesses to get negotiating power for health insurance.

-- Provide tax credits to help people who can't afford coverage.

-- Reduce premiums as much as $3,000 per person for workers who get health coverage through their employers.

Obama called the plan "a patient's bill of rights on steroids" that "incorporates the best ideas of Democrats and Republicans."

Obama's Northeast Ohio appearance took on a rally-like atmosphere at times, with some enthusiastic spectators doing the wave and cheering, "O-B-A-M-A" while awaiting his arrival.

"What do we want?" someone yelled.

"Health care!" the crowd shouted in response.

"When do we want it?"

"Now!"

But at least one person disagreed, shouting out in a booming voice, "We want choice!"

Some still on the fence

Some in attendance still were undecided about Obama's reform plans.

Jacob Nash, 45, of Akron, waited in line in the drizzling rain to hear what the president had to say about health care.

Nash has been on disability for about a decade because of ulcerative colitis.

His Medicare coverage pays most of his medical bills. But his Medicare prescription drug plan leaves him paying for thousands of dollars' worth of prescription drugs each year.

"I want to hear what he has to say with regard to health care and how it's going to affect me," Nash said. "I think it will be a positive thing. I'm not sure yet."

Obama vows savings

Obama addressed concerns about Medicare, saying his plan improves the federal health insurance program for people 65 and older and some younger disabled Americans.

"This proposal adds almost a decade of solvency to Medicare," he said. "This proposal would close the gap in prescription drug coverage, called the doughnut hole. . .that sticks seniors with thousands of dollars in drug costs. This proposal will over time help to reduce the costs of Medicare that you pay every month."

Cheryl Powell can be reached at 330-996-3902 or chpowell@thebeaconjournal.com.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0006-42922288