LITTLE ROCK — President Barack Obama said debate over revamping the U.S. health-care system is being dominated by "willful misrepresentations and outright distortions."
Obama, after leaving Washington to start a week-long vacation, used his weekly address on the radio and Internet to urge Americans to "rise above our differences" to fix a costly and ineffective health-insurance system.
The president pushed back against what he called "outrageous myths" about his proposals.
"This is an issue of vital concern to every American," Obama said. "But it should also be an honest debate, not one dominated by willful misrepresentations and outright distortions."
As the health-care debate has intensified, Obama's approval ratings have fallen and Democratic members of Congress have faced contentious town-hall meetings. On Thursday, Obama told supporters their help is needed to correct misperceptions.
In his address Saturday, Obama said opponents have falsely said Democratic healthinsurance legislation would cover illegal immigrants, provide federal funding for abortions and lead to a government takeover of health care.
"These are phony claims meant to divide us," Obama said.
Obama said proposals for agovernment-run insurance plan, to compete against private insurers, have created confusion about government involvement in the health-care system.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosisaid Thursday that a governmentrun insurance program would have to be included in any legislation voted on in the House.
Obama has said he prefers that approach but is open to others.
"This is one idea among many to provide more competition and choice," Obama said.
After taping the address last week, Obama left Friday for the presidential retreat at Camp David, Md. Tomorrow the president is scheduled to travel to Martha's Vineyard, Mass. He is expected to remain in contact with congressional negotiators on health care.
"He'll continue to touch base with members of Congress in the House and the Senate on the finance committee to check in with them about progress that's being made," White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said.
Obama plans to return to Washington on Aug. 30. Lawmakers return from Congress' August recess on Sept. 8.
Georgia's Rep. Tom Price, who is a doctor, said in the weekly Republican address that Democratic proposals would give the federal government too much control over health care.
"The president's plan is a 1,000-page expression supporting the notion that Washington knows best when it comes to your family's health care," he said.
Price said Obama is responsible for some of the misinformation in the health-care debate, disputing Obama's statements that Americans will be able to keep insurance they already have and that a governmentrun coverage option wouldn't drive private insurers out of business.
"We all know that when the government is setting the rules and is backed by tax dollars, it will destroy, not compete, with the private sector," he said.
Price also criticized Obama for failing to work with Republicans on a health-care compromise.
He said Obama's approach is "his way or the highway."
"It's time we start over and create a truly bipartisan solution," Price said.
Front Section, Pages 6 on 08/23/2009