Obama: Health reform necessary

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US President Barack Obama has pressed his fight for a health care overhaul. He used a nationally televised press conference on Wednesday to rally public support on the issue that has become pivotal for his presidency.

U.S. President Barack Obama speaks news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington July 22, 2009.REUTERS/Larry Downing

Six months have passed since Barack Obama took office. He's had to deal with critical issues including soaring unemployment and wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

But it's the health care debate that now towers above all others.

The US is the only major industrialized nation that lacks a comprehensive national health care plan.

Obama has argued that making health coverage affordable and sustainable is vital. He says anything less will erode the economic stability of families, businesses and even the government.

Barack Obama, US President, said, "So if we don't change, we can't expect a different result, and that's why I think this is so important, not only for those families out there who are struggling and who need some protection from abuses in the insurance industry, or need some protection from skyrocketing costs, but it's also important for our economy."