Obama health vision to include insurance 'exchange'

WASHINGTON -- President Obama offered details to Congress and the American people Wednesday night on his prescription for the nation's health care system, including plans for an "exchange" in which the uninsured may shop for competitive prices.

Speaking before a packed U.S. Capitol and addressing House and Senate members and cabinet members, Obama outlined a proposal for a plan that would cost $900 billion over 10 years, "...less than we have spent on the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, and less than the tax cuts for the wealthiest few Americans that Congress passed at the beginning of the previous administration."

Obama also made reference to the late Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., who died last month of brain cancer and who'd fought for health-care reform before his death. Kennedy's widow, Vicki, who appeared visibly moved, and sons, Patrick and Ted Jr., looked on from the audience.

"On issues like these, Ted Kennedy's passion was born not of some rigid ideology, but of his own experience," Obama said. "It was the experience of having two children stricken with cancer."

Ted Kennedy Jr. lost a leg to bone cancer as a child. Another of the late senator's children, Kara Kennedy Allen, has battled lung cancer.

Some of the details of the plan the president shared Wednesday night:

• Those who already have insurance through jobs, Medicare, Medicaid or the VA will not be required to change.

• It will be illegal for insurance companies to deny coverage based on pre-existing conditions.

• Cap on out-of-pocket expenses.

• If you lose your job or change jobs, or start your own business, you can shop for new insurance via an exchange that allows you to shop at competitive prices.

"Everyone understands the extraordinary hardships that are placed on the uninsured, who live every day just one accident or illness away from bankruptcy," Obama told the crowd. "These are not primarily people on welfare. These are middle-class Americans. Some can't get insurance on the job. Others are self-employed and can't afford it ... Many other Americans who are willing and able to pay are still denied insurance due to previous illnesse or conditions that insurance companies decide are too risky or expensive to cover."