Obama calls for healthcare reform in 2009

President Barack Obama pledged Tuesday to cure Americans from what he called "the crushing cost of health costs," saying the country could not afford to put healthcare reform on hold. Obama pointed to the increasing number of uninsured and rapidly rising healthcare premiums, which he said was one reason small business closed their doors and corporations moved overseas. Obama's prescription for healthcare reform included making "the largest investment ever" in preventive care, rooting out Medicare fraud and investing in electronic health records and new technology in an effort to reduce errors, bring down costs, ensure privacy and save lives.