Obama emphasizes need for health reform; President's budget sets aside $630B to fund expansion of coverage.(Benefits Management)

Byline: JERRY GEISEL

WASHINGTON-If there were any notions that the nation's massive economic problems would derail the Obama administration's commitment to reform the nation's health care system, President Obama last week tried to dismiss such beliefs.

Speaking before a joint session of Congress, President Obama reiterated his promise-made many times during last year's presidential campaign-to develop and win passage of sweeping reform legislation.

"We can no longer afford to put health care reform on hold,'' he told legislators. "Let there be no doubt: health care reform cannot wait, it must not wait and it will not wait another year,'' he said.

And in a budget outline released last week, the administration proposed setting up a $630 billion fund-generated in part by boosting taxes on higher-income individuals-to help pay for an expansion of coverage.

President Obama's message on health care reform could not be any clearer, Washington health care observers say. "The time has come for health care reform. That was his bottom-line message,'' said …