Obama Gives Speech Defending Affordable Care Act

After the House passed two bills to delay Affordable Care Act (ACA) provisions Wednesday, President Obama is fighting back.

In a speech from the White House Thursday, Obama explained how the provisions are already saving Americans money. According to a statement from the White House, the ACA requires insurance companies to spend "at least 80 percent of premium dollars on medical care and health care quality improvement." If they don't comply, a rebate will be provided, leaving families with an "average rebate of around $100 per family" this summer.

In response to the House's actions yesterday, Obama scolded, "Part of our job here is not to always think about politics. Part of our job here is to sometimes think about getting work done on behalf of the American people."

8.5 million rebates are expected to be sent out this summer, and Obama says "most folks wouldn't know when that check comes in that this was because of Obamacare that they got this extra money in their pockets."

"Affordable healthcare is not some privilege just for the few. It's a basic right that everybody should be able to enjoy," Obama said.