Wes Hickman (202) 224-5972 or Kevin Bishop (864) 250-1417

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) tonight made this statement on President Obama's press conference on health care reform. 

"Simply put, President Obama's 'My way or the Highway' approach to health care reform is not going to work.

"I don't believe there will be support in the Congress to pass a public option. A number of Democrats and almost all Republicans believe it will destroy health care. A government-run, government-controlled system will increase costs, reduce patient choice, and eventually lead to rationing of care. This outcome unites Republicans and a significant number of Democrats against President Obama‘s plan.

"America has the premier health care system in the world but there are areas we can work to improve. I agree with the president we should address those issues.  But there are better ways to reform health care than the plan President Obama has embraced."

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