Obama tells Governors health reform will help in tough times

"President Barack Obama said Wednesday that he is committed to helping keep Democrats in governors' offices across the country and move their states forward, starting with changes to the health care system," The Associated Press reports. In his comments at a Democratic Governors Association fundraiser in Washington, Obama talked about the "challenging times for the states and the nation."

"Obama said his administration wants to support schools and small businesses, entrepreneurs and families. He said they all suffer because of the high cost of health insurance. 'I know some folks say we should focus on fixing the economy instead of on health insurance reform. ... But I also believe that health insurance reform is absolutely critical to fixing our economy. It's how we'll encourage more entrepreneurs to take a gamble on a good idea. It's how we'll make sure that if they do, they'll be able to cover the costs of insuring their employees,' Obama said at the event, which raised $500,000" (Elliott, 10/1).