Obama promises healthcare reform this year

WASHINGTON, June 24 (UPI) -- President Barack Obama reaffirmed his commitment Wednesday to sign legislation overhauling the U.S. healthcare system by year's end.

Obama's remarks came after a meeting with governors who have had forums on healthcare with constituents.

"There's a recognition that we have to change the status quo," Obama said at the White House.

He told reporters premiums have been rising much faster than wages, businesses have struggled to pay 25 percent to 30 percent increases in employee healthcare costs, and governors have had to make hard choices to cover Medicaid costs.

The president met with five of the nine governors who have had forums: Jennifer Granholm, D-Mich.; James Douglas, R-Vt.; James Doyle, D-Wis..; Mike Rounds, R-S.D.; and Christine Gregoire, D-Wash.

Governors throughout the nation see the importance of reform "to control costs, to assure choice of doctors and plans for individuals, and to make sure that we are providing high-quality care," Obama said.

"There's no perfect unanimity across the table in terms of every aspect of reform," he acknowledged.

But, he added, "I think everybody here wants to make sure that governors have flexibility, that they have input into how legislation is being shaped on the Hill."