Obama says time spent on health care doesn’t mean economy is neglected

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Obama says health care reform means jobs

ALLENTOWN, Pa. — He’s been spending a lot of time on health care, but President Barack Obama says that doesn’t mean he’s been neglecting the nation’s unemployment troubles.

He says the two issues are closely related.

Obama told a town hall gathering in Allentown, Pa., on Friday that health care reform is “part and parcel” of what has to be done to help the economy. He says when small business owners face steep increases in health premiums, that’s money they can’t invest in their businesses or use to hire more workers.

Obama says controlling health care costs is part of creating jobs.