In pitch for health care overhaul, Obama says insurance companies holding Americans hostage

Obama assails health insurance companies

BELGRADE, Mont. — President Barack Obama says Americans are being held hostage by health insurance companies that deny coverage based on pre-existing conditions or cancel coverage when people get sick.

The president kicked off his four-state push for a health care overhaul with a joke: He said Montana has bears, moose and elk, and “in Washington, you just mostly have bull.”

Obama is trying to regain momentum for his top domestic priority as anger at town hall meetings across the country has undercut support for his health care agenda.

Obama said the current health care system is bankrupting companies and families, and he vowed, “We’re going to fix it.”