Kaine "Lauds" Obama's Health Care Cost Agreement

Here's part of Governor/DNC Chair Tim Kaine's statement on President Obama’s agreement with health care industry groups to reduce health care costs by $2 trillion over the next 10 years. The ultimate goal, to quote Kaine, is "a patient-centered health care system that reduces costs, preserves individual choice and assures quality affordable care for every American."

Health care industry leaders joined President Obama today to announce their commitment to working with the Administration to sharply reduce national health care spending. By 2014, a family of four could save $2,500 a year. That’s a big difference for America’s working families who are struggling to make ends meet.

"The President's announcement today with these 'strange bedfellows' is nothing short of historic and will provide the momentum we need to get broader health care reform passed by Congress this year. Skyrocketing health care costs are one of the biggest burdens on America’s families. Since 2000, health insurance premiums have almost doubled and health care premiums have grown three times faster than wages. Rising costs are crippling businesses and too many people delay or skip medical care all together because it’s too expensive. Reforming health care is the key to restoring financial stability and securing our fiscal future.

“We have a long way to go to reform our health care system, but today’s announcement is an important step toward comprehensive reform. And it shows President Obama’s ability to bring people together and provide the leadership we need to make health care reform a reality.