Obama urges for U.S. healthcare reform

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WASHINGTON, June 23 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama urged on Tuesday for the healthcare reform that is undergoing debate at the Congress.

"This is obviously a complicated issue, but I am very optimistic about the progress they're making," said Obama at a White House press conference.

The president noted that the reform is a necessity, not a luxury that will add to the U.S. government budget deficits in the next decade, since the fund can be found through "savings and efficiencies within the health care system."

On the contrary, the reform is aimed at reducing the cost of the current healthcare system, he added.

"We simply cannot have a system where we throw good money after bad habits," said Obama. "We must control the skyrocketing costs that are driving families, businesses, and our government into greater and greater debt."

The president vowed to push forward with the universal healthcare in the country during his campaign last year. However, his efforts are considered facing a tough challenge as doubts rose among opposers on whether the reform could drive up the budget deficits and compromise the quality of care.

According to official statistics, healthcare costs are expected to rise from nearly 18 percent of Gross Domestic Product in 2009 to around 20 percent, or 4.4 trillion, by 2018. Costs are expected to outstrip GDP growth by around 2 percent annually.

"Unless we fix what is broken in our current system, everyone's health care will be in jeopardy," the president warned during the Tuesday's press conference.

"Unless we act, premiums will climb higher, benefits will erode further, and the rolls of uninsured will swell to include millions more Americans. Unless we act, one out of every five dollars we earn will be spent on health care within a decade."