President Obama gave credit to Iowans for helping the Democrats push a landmark health care reform bill today in Iowa City.
“You knew this wasn’t about the fortunes of any one party — this was about the future of our country,” he said. “And today, because of what you did, that future looks stronger and more hopeful than it has in some time.”
The president was speaking to a capacity crowd of 3,000 at the University of Iowa Field House. Just days ago, Obama signed the bill into law.
In May 2007, Obama unveiled his vision for health care reform during a visit to the UI’s medical campus. White House officials said that event led directly to the approval of the Democrats’ health care agenda.
Obama also called out Republican nay-sayers who, he said, have been spreading misinformation about the new health care law. As soon as provisions of the law are put in place, Obama said he’s confident Americans will appreciate the reform.
“We have built into the law all sorts of measures to assure that in years to come, health care inflation, which has been rising about three times as fast as people’s wages, will start slowing,” he said. “We’ll start reducing the waste in the system, from unnecessary tests to unwarranted insurance subsidies. So over time, Americans will save money.”
The Daily Iowan will be providing live updates all day.
