Obama quickly adds health care statement to Friday agenda as concerns rise over cost of reform

Obama quickly plans health care statement

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama has quickly scheduled a statement on health care for Friday afternoon as concerns rise about the cost of new legislation.

Obama wants to sign a bill into law this year that would slow the rate of health care spending and expand health coverage to the millions of people who lack it. House and Senate committees are working to push legislation toward floor votes before Congress takes its August break.

But the task grew more demanding on Thursday with the comments of the director of the Congressional Budget Office, Douglas Elmendorf, who said the legislation proposed so far “significantly expands the federal responsibility for health care costs.”

Obama moved quickly to stay in front of the debate.