The President: My fellow Americans,
Millions of families across our nation are
suffering under the disaster known
as Obamacare.
Traveling throughout our country over the last two
years, I have met so many of these wonderful
Americans, and I have never forgotten
their stories.
In Wisconsin, I recently met a proud Veteran and
his wife - Michael and Tammy Kushman.
When they were forced onto Obamacare and the exchange
in 2015, they thought they would be able to keep
their doctor-but they couldn't.
They thought they would be able to keep their plan -
but they weren't allowed.
They were told their premiums would go down -
but instead, they soared by 120 percent upward.
It was one Obamacare lie after another.
Today, the Kushmans spend $1,400 dollars a month on
health insurance - nearly one-fourth of their
entire net monthly income.
On the same visit, I met another family,
Robert and Sarah Stoll.
Robert is a volunteer captain for his
local fire department.
After their Obamacare premiums nearly doubled,
they needed extra money and Sarah had no choice
but to leave retirement to pay their bills.
But this new income meant they were no longer
eligible for the tax credit they had once
received, and the federal government actually forced
them to repay thousands and thousands of dollars.
These families and so many others are victims of a
catastrophic law that is wreaking havoc on our
healthcare system and our families.
Democrats in Congress created this calamity and
now, if we don't act, millions more Americans
will be hurt by Obamacare's deepening
death spiral.
Americans were promised lower premiums, more
choices, and better access.
Instead, premiums have doubled nationwide - and
insurers are still fleeing the market that Obamacare
has nearly destroyed.
Americans in nearly one-third of all counties
have only one insurer to choose from on the
exchanges - and many markets may soon have no
insurers at all.
It really is a disaster.
The American people are calling out for relief,
and my administration is determined to provide it -
and we are working with Congress to get a bill to
my desk so we can rescue Americans from
this catastrophe.
As families across the nation continue to suffer
under this law, I only hope that Democrats in
Congress will have the political courage to help
fix what we know to be a catastrophic situation - a
total disaster - that they have created.
To be part of the solution, instead of
obstructing - always obstructing - change,
blocking reform, and doubling-down on
Obamacare's failure.
But no matter what, my Administration will never
stop fighting for you - and for the healthcare
system that you deserve.
We'll get it done.
Even if we don't have any help from the Democrats,
we'll get it done.
Thank you, God bless you, and God bless America.