Remarks by President Biden on Lowering Healthcare Costs for Americans

Friday, July 7, 2023

I thought I knew a hell a lot about healthcare and — (laughter) — no, I’ve been a sig- — (microphone feedback) — sorry.  (Laughter.)  I’ve been a significant consumer, and my family has as well.

If you can — a point — a point of personal privilege, as we used to say in the Senate — I was telling my staff that I li- — I was raised — it was a middle-class family.  We weren’t poor.  We lived in a three-bedroom house with four kids and a grandpop, a split-level home, and — and my — “the boys” — quote, unquote — now, the princess, my sister, had her own bedroom — (laughter) — as she should have.  But the three boys were — there were four — there were two sets of bunks in the other room.  And there was a closet that ran — as your walked down the — you walked up the stairs, you walk straight down the hall, you went into, quote, “the boys’ room.”  The three of us.  And on the left, there was a closet in that whole wall.  My parents’ bed, headboard, was against that — where that closet was. 

And every once in a while, rarely, my — you could hear — you could hear sort of a restlessness going on.  You know, like, the — just — and one — one morning, I get up, and I ask — I said, “What’s wrong with dad?” 

my administration is cracking — (coughs) — excuse me — cracking down

But get this: Some healthcare providers are trying to get around the rule by putting in place — putting in place a — a — the rule we put in place by prevent — to prevent the surprise billings.

The travel industry figured out how to — how to charge customers $90 a night in resort fees for hotels that aren’t resorts.  (Laughter.)  You think I’m kidding.  (Laughter.)

We’ve been trying to get this done for decades.  I don’t know how many times I made this speech on the floor of the United States Senate.  (Laughter.) 

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Many.  [Or, possibly, “Freebird!”]

THE PRESIDENT:  I’m on- — (laughs) — yeah, many — (laughter) — along with many others, but now.  (Laughter.)

And it’s why I can honestly say I’ve never — I really have — I — I — I know I don’t look like it, but I’ve been around a while.  (Laughter.)  But all kidding aside . . .

God bless you all and (inaudible).  (Applause.)  Thank you.