Republicans talk health care, Obama economy in weekly address

(CNN) - President Barack Obama advocated for his jobs package while Rep. Bill Cassidy argued against the health reform law as they stood by their parties' positions Saturday during their weekly addresses.

Obama called on Congress to pass a transportation bill, expand access to college and fund infrastructure projects. Cassidy, a Maryland Republican, argued that the health reform law signed by Obama in 2010 had an effect of "driving up health care costs, making it harder for small businesses to hire workers."

"The law, as an example, is going to cost nearly twice as much as we were told, people are already paying more for their health care than they were before, and because of health insurance expenses, employers are canceling plans to expand their businesses, which is to say they will not be hiring new workers," he said.

Cassidy did not say he supported the Supreme Court overturning the law, but said a "majority of Americans want the Supreme Court to overturn all or part of Obamacare."

A CNN/ORC International poll released in early June showed 43% of Americans supported the law while 34% believed it was too liberal and 13% opposed it because it did not go far enough.

An additional 10% said they had no opinion on the law.

Cassidy said his experience as a doctor informed his views on quality care.

"Families should be able to make their own health care choices, visit the doctor of their choosing and receive the health care they and their physician feel is best," he said, arguing the health law does not do that.

In his address, Obama focused on several measures, including funding for a transportation law.

"Bridges are deteriorating after years of neglect. Highways are choked with congestion. Transportation delays cost Americans and businesses billions of dollars every year," he said. "And there are hundreds of thousands of construction workers who have never been more eager to get back on the job."

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Republicans talk health care, Obama economy in weekly address

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