Obama Seeks $634B Over 10 Years For Health Care
WASHINGTON (AP) – President Barack Obama wants a significant “down payment” for overhauling the health care system: $634 billion over 10 years.
A senior administration official says Obama’s budget calls for financing the overhaul by trimming Medicare spending and limiting tax deductions for upper-income earners. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the budget won’t be released until Thursday.
About 48 million Americans are uninsured, according to recent estimates. The cost of guaranteeing coverage for all could easily exceed $1 trillion over 10 years.
Obama has asked Congress for health reform this year, but senior members of both political parties say they are concerned about the cost.
By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR, Associated Press Writer
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
