Senator Obama, from the February 21, 2008 Democratic Debate:

"I want to set up a system in which any person is going to be able to get coverage that is as good as we have as members of Congress. We are going to subsidize those who can't afford it, and make sure that we reduce costs by emphasizing prevention. I want to make sure that we're applying technology to improve quality, cut bureaucracy. My belief is that people don't have it is not because they don't want it but because they can't afford it. So I emphasize reducing costs." [1]

Obama states that he will create a plan that covers every American including providing insurance for the uninsured and reducing costs for the currently insured.

Senator Obama, from the May 29, 2007 Speech in Iowa City:

"My plan begins by covering every American. If you already have health insurance, the only thing that will change for you under this plan is the amount of money you will spend on premiums. That will be less. If you are one of the 45 million Americans who don't have health insurance, you will have it after this plan becomes law. No one will be turned away because of a preexisting condition or illness." [2]

Barack Obama plans to create a national healthcare plan that will improve coverage for all Americans. He plans to cover uninsured Americans with guaranteed eligibility, meaning no one will be turned away because of illness. The benefits will be comprehensive with affordable premiums, co-pays and deductibles. He plans to mandate coverage for all children and extend coverage until the age of 25 under parents' plans. Obama plans to create the National Health Insurance Exchange, a watchdog group to help reform private insurance market by making comparisons between plans available to the public.

Obama's plan focuses on lowering costs to improve accessibility to healthcare coverage. He plans to support disease management programs requiring patients with chronic conditions to participate in the public plan and participate in proven programs to control their illness. Obama will hold hospitals and providers accountable by requiring them to report healthcare costs quality including medical errors, nursing staffing ratios, hospital-acquired infections as well as the percentage of premiums that go patient care vs. admin costs.

Barack Obama plans to reduce costs from inside the system by investing in electronic health information technology systems to move forward from the old paper systems that cost about twice as much as electronic claims and records. He also plans to increase competition in the insurance drug markets to lower costs for consumers by allowing Americans to purchase safe and effective drugs from developed countries as well as increasing access to generic drugs.

Obama plans to invest in new initiatives including strengthening funding for biomedical research, fighting AIDS worldwide, strengthening the American Disabilities Act, improving mental health coverage, protecting people from lead and mercury poisoning, and supporting Americans with autism.[3]

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[1] IHT.com. The Democratic Debate on CNN February 21, 2008

[2] NYTimes.com. Speech in Iowa City on Health Care May 29, 2007

[3] BarackObama.com. Plan for a Healthy America p. 1-15.