Obama pushes for healthcare reform at national press conference

WASHINGTON, July 22 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama Wednesday appealed for national support to his healthcare reform that has been hit by strong opposition from Congress, industries and public.

President Barack Obama responds to questions during a news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington Wednesday, July 22, 2009.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

"Even as we rescue this economy from a full-blown crisis, we must rebuild it stronger than before," said the president at a national TV press conference. "And health insurance reform is central to that effort."

Noting that the healthcare reform "fits into our broader economic strategy," Obama warned that if the U.S. cannot control costs on healthcare, it will not be able to control its deficit.

"If we do not reform health care, your premiums and out-of-pocket costs will continue to skyrocket. If we do not act, 14,000 Americans will continue to lose their health insurance every single day."

In recent weeks, Obama has stepped up his efforts to push forward the healthcare reform at Congress, healthcare industries and communities despite concerns on tax raise and other backfire effects that the reform might cause.