NASHVILLE, Tenn. – President Barack Obama arrived in Nashville Wednesday to address recent progress under the Affordable Care Act.
WKRN News 2 reports that the President began his speech by listing the accomplishments of Obamacare, saying that 100 to 150 million people benefit, although they may not know it.
“You’re able to get free preventive care, including mammograms, as a consequence of this law,” he said.
He told the crowd he feels “pretty good” with the way health care is going. “This is about people. Not politics,” he said.
The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 last Thursday that President Obama’s health care overhaul is here to stay, rejecting a major challenge that would have imperiled the landmark law and health insurance for millions of Americans.
The crowd at Wednesday’s event was permitted to ask questions. One question came from a Pikeville man who would be eligible for Insure Tennessee if it passed. He asked about men and women who make “too little”, but still make too much to qualify for Obamacare.
The President said we need a “uniquely Tennessee” action plan. He stressed finding a solution on a state level to Insure Tennessee.
Governor Bill Haslam’s Insure Tennessee plan was defeated twice in legislative session this year, but supporters of the bill have not given up hope.
State Rep. Brenda Gilmore asked how to bring along those against Insure Tennessee, to which he responded, “I don’t presume to know Tennessee politics.”
He advised her and other Insure Tennessee supporters to provide people with good information and point out what works about the program.
A question about veterans’ healthcare was asked, and Obama pointed out that the VA is entirely separate from Obamacare, but we “have to give them good healthcare.”
After being asked about a pathway to becoming a legal citizen, the president later pointed out that Obamacare is not available to anyone in the country illegally, and called for immigration reform.
*WKRN News 2 contributed to this report