U.S. President Barack Obama on Tuesday again stressed the importance of passing comprehensive health care legislation in the next month. Speaking during a surprise statement in the White House Rose Garden, Obama took a positive tone to the ongoing battle over the passage of the massive overhaul legislation. While it seems that the legislation was set to pass, it hit a roadblock late last week. Obama said he is “looking forward” to speaking with Congressional lawmakers, but did speak out against those opponents of the bill that would slow the legislation because they would “rather score political points.” But, regardless of the challenges the bill has been facing, Obama said: “make no mistake, we are closer than ever before” to passing the necessary health care overhaul. He also spoke to the common ground that both he and the bill's opponents have, saying they agree to have a bill that would extend coverage, expand benefits, and allow for patients to keep their current plan if they are happy with it. The plan will also focus on prevention and wellness. In his address, which seems to come as part of an ongoing, public campaign to pass the health care overhaul as soon as possible, Obama again stressed the urgency, saying “time and time again, we've heard excuses…[because of that] the American people suffered.” “The status quo is unacceptable,” he said.
