REINFORCEMENT

Obama Defends Health Care in Maine

Says reform lifts burden off middle class.

In a visit to Maine on Thursday, President Barack Obama argued that his health-care reform will “lift one of the biggest burdens” off the middle class, who, in this economy, are struggling to make ends meet. The president explained the legislation was not only a win for health benefits, but also an integral piece of America’s economic recovery. “I want you to know that we are working every day to spur job creation and turn this economy around,” said Obama. “And that’s why we worked so hard over the last year to lift one of the biggest burdens facing middle-class families and small-business owners.” Obama admitted that the health-care bill is not a panacea for all of the problems, but “it represents enormous progress.”