Prior to touching down in Cleveland, Mr. Obama held a press conference where he said Americans who’ve had their health insurance plans canceled because of the Affordable Care Act can keep them an extra year.
Speaking to a friendly crowd at Cleveland’s ArcelorMittal steel plant, the president again acknowledged issues with the act, but said moving ahead is still the right thing to do.
“We’re going to help folks whose old plans have been canceled by the insurers, many of them weren’t very good…" said Obama. "And we’re going to make sure that they can get new and better options. But we’re not going to go back to the old system because the old system was broken!"
The audience applauded, as the president continued.
"And every year, thousands of Americans would get dropped for coverage, or denied their medical history. Or exposed to financial ruin.”
Obama praised ArcelorMittal’s steel union and management for providing health care for workers, but said there were millions more Americans who’d benefit from the health care law.
Meanwhile, Ohio Republican and House Speaker John Boehner pressed on with his attacks on Obamacare, saying it was driving up premiums for his constituents.
The president did discuss the economy. He told the audience that manufacturers like ArcelorMittal are vital, calling them the “hub” of the U.S. economy.