President Barack Obama brought together Friday two of his biggest campaign issues, health care and the economy, in an appeal to women voters, who have favored the president over GOP rivals in recent polls. During remarks at a White House forum on women and the economy, Obama described how provisions of the 2010 health law have helped break barriers for women in the workforce.
“Because of the health reform law that we passed, women finally have more power to make their choices about their health care,” Obama said. He pointed to provisions such as requiring insurers to cover some preventive care and banning insurers from denying coverage to people with pre-existing conditions, which will take effect in 2014.
In a follow-up session specifically on health care, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and White House adviser Jeanne Lambrew continued the president’s theme. Lambrew said health care is an economic, income security and jobs issue for women. Sebelius added that, with the health law, women will have more freedom to take on jobs, start a business and raise their families – all without worrying about the security of their health care.
Watch excerpts from Obama’s remarks below.
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