Reaction abounds to Obama's speech

President Barack Obama addressed both chambers of Congress tonight on the issue of health care.

The speech comes after a summer when tempers flared over what to do with the nation's health care infrastructure. Obama and most Democrats want to great a government-run insurance program that would provide health coverage to potentially millions of people. Plans circulating in Washington also would bar insurance companies from refusing coverage to those with "preexisting conditions" and penalize those who don't purchase insurance.

Both of Missouri's senators reacted after Obama made his speech. Here's a statement from U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Missouri:

“After hosting town halls throughout Missouri, I think the President did a good job correcting all the misinformation that has been spread. Now with the stakes made clear, it’s time to work on reasonable health insurance reform that will bring down the cost of health care, improve the way care is provided, and do it in a way that doesn’t saddle our grandchildren with our debt. He did a great job of explaining that the price of doing nothing is much too steep and those who are blocking health care reform are engaged in very risky behavior.”

Here's a statement from Sen. Kit Bond, R-Missouri:

“Over August those who were listening heard some straight talk from the American people. The American people want health care reform that lowers costs, increases access and improves care, not a government takeover of health care that will increase costs, force millions of Americans off their current health care plan, raise taxes, increase the deficit and put medical decisions in the hands of a government bureaucrat. In short, they do not want government to over-reach, over-manage, over-spend.  You can repaint an outhouse but it won't change the smell. Americans want more than a new speech, they want a new plan. If Democrats in Washington are truly interested in working in a bipartisan way they should scrap their unaffordable plan, start over, and begin with common-sense solutions that both parties support. Solutions such as lowering costs for small businesses by allowing them to pool together to provide quality health care like large companies and unions; Expanding community health centers; Getting rid of junk lawsuits that drive up the cost of health care; Preventing insurance companies from denying health care coverage when someone gets sick or because of a preexisting condition; Expanding wellness and prevention programs; and enrolling low-income Americans in the health care programs they are already eligible for."

“Now is the time to listen to the American people, not push through a partisan government takeover of health care.  I hope the President and Democrats act on this message.”