Hanover Democratic Committee of Virginia

In his first public appearance since securing the Democratic presidential nomination, Barack Obama promised here Thursday that every American would receive affordable health care by the end of his first term.
Battling self-admitted sleep deprivation since claiming the nomination Tuesday night, Obama spent more than an hour detailing much of his health care plan.

Amid chants of "Yes we can!" and a light show from camera flashes, the presumptive Democratic nominee also championed other issues and criticized GOP opponent John McCain before an enthusiastic crowd of about 2,500 in the Virginia High School gymnasium.

Under his plan, the government would work with insurance companies to lower premiums by an average of $2,500 per family annually for those who have insurance, the candidate said.

He wants the government to develop a health care program – similar to the one available to Congress – that uninsured Americans could buy into. The government would then subsidize anyone who couldn’t afford to participate.

Standing behind a podium adorned with a sign that read: “Affordable Health Care For All,” Obama said pre-existing conditions would be covered under his plan, but some procedures – such as plastic surgery – would be excluded.

Reforms would focus on “prevention, regular checkups and regular screenings,” the Illinois senator said. He expects to pay for the expanded coverage through disease prevention and a paperless recordkeeping system.

Discussions to create a new health care system should involve every stakeholder and be broadcast live on C-SPAN, Obama said.
“I’ll allow the drug companies to have a seat at the table, but they just won’t be able to buy every chair,” Obama said, decrying the overt influence of special interests.

He has promised not to accept campaign contributions from registered lobbyists and special-interest political action committees and Thursday announced the Democratic National Committee would be held to the same standard.

Read the full article from The Bristol Herald Courier