Obama Promises Bristol, Va., Crowd Health Care Changes
The Bristol Herald Courier | June 06, 2008
By David McGee
In his first public appearance since securing the Democratic presidential nomination, Barack Obama promised here Thursday that every American would receive affordable health care by the end of his first term.
Battling self-admitted sleep deprivation since claiming the nomination Tuesday night, Obama spent more than an hour detailing much of his health care plan.
Amid chants of "Yes we can!" and a light show from camera flashes, the presumptive Democratic nominee also championed other issues and criticized GOP opponent John McCain before an enthusiastic crowd of about 2,500 in the Virginia High School gymnasium.
"We need a health care system instead of a disease care system," Obama said.
Under his plan, the government would work with insurance companies to lower premiums by an average of $2,500 per family annually for those who have insurance, the candidate said.
