Pres. Clinton, In Philadelphia, Says Obamacare Is Vital Economic Tool For U.S.
By Pat Loeb
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Former president Bill Clinton was in Philadelphia today, urging Pennsylvania and other states to stop resisting the Affordable Care Act.
As part of a conference on federalism at the National Constitution Center, Clinton said health care reform is vital to making the US more competitive in the global economy.
"We have to make this work," the president said of health care reform, insisting that controlling health care costs is not a partisan issue but a national concern.
He notes that nearly 18 percent of America's GDP is spent on health care -- five percent, or $1 trillion, more than any other industrialized nation.
"Every person in America, without regard to party or political philosophy, should be dedicated to proven policies that lower the inflation rate on health care costs so we move closer to our competitors," Clinton said.
And he said that includes expanding Medicaid, something left to state discretion and which Pennsylvania, so far, has refused to do.
