Mrs. Obama says health overhaul will help older women

First lady Michelle Obama (L) shares a moment with Fran Garfinkle (R) of Bethesda, Maryland, who was diagnosed with breast cancer last year and currently receiving Medicare and Social Security, during an East Room event November 13, 2009 at the White House in Washington, D.C. The event focused on the issues older women facing in the health insurance market. (Alex Wong, Getty Images)

WASHINGTON (AP) — First lady Michelle Obama is assuring older women they won't be lose Medicare benefits through a health care overhaul and the legislation is designed to bring down their health care costs.

Mrs. Obama, championing the health care overhaul at the White House in her husband's absence, said women are among those struggling the most because of the status quo and would be among those to benefit the most from a health care overhaul.

She said the measures would make Medicare more stable by eliminating wasteful subsidies to private insurance.

Before Mrs. Obama spoke, three women invited by the White House explained their health insurance problems and difficulties in paying for coverage.

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