July 01, 2009
Obama says single-payer not the best option
The Associated PressPresident Barack Obama is once again rejecting the idea of a "single-payer" health care system, as opposed to the one he envisions that would preserve private insurers but would add a government-run option.
As has been the case at other health care forums, Obama was asked during a town hall meeting Wednesday in Annandale, Va., why he isn't choosing a completely government-run system that would eliminate high overhead costs of private companies.
He responded that he doesn't want to "suddenly upend" a system that provides health care for the vast majority of Americans.
Obama says the public option will provide "competition and choice" and "keep insurers honest."
He said again that he wants to "build on what works" and fix what's broken.