August 12th, 2009

Reports Reuters:

President Barack Obama assailed insurance companies on Tuesday as he sought to counter an onslaught of conservative opposition to a U.S. healthcare overhaul at a town hall meeting that drew protests outside.

Obama opened his speech by saying Americans are too often “held hostage” by insurance companies that deny or drop their coverage or charge fees they cannot afford.

“I believe it is wrong; it is bankrupting families and businesses and that is why we’re going to pass health insurance reform in 2009,” Obama said.

Outside the event at a New Hampshire high school, about a thousand people gathered on the road leading to the school.

Healthcare overhaul advocates on one side of the street chanted “Yes, we can!” and waved signs saying, “Insurance companies are enemies of change” and “All Americans deserve affordable healthcare.”

On the other side, opponents held banners saying “Obamacare, down the chute granny” and “Hands off my healthcare.”

Read more at Reuters.