Obama Sees Progress in US Economy; Republicans Criticize Health Care Reform

U.S. President Barack Obama says the U.S. is "moving in the right direction," with the first reports of economic growth in a year.

In his weekly radio and Internet address Saturday, Mr. Obama noted the country's gross domestic product was up this month. He said there will still be "ups and downs," but that the U.S. "has come a long way."

Mr. Obama played down high unemployment figures, saying his stimulus plan created or saved more than a million jobs. Unemployment reached a 26-year-high in September, and is likely to increase.

Meanwhile, in their weekly address, U.S. Republicans criticized plans for health care reform championed by Mr. Obama.

House of Representatives minority leader John Boehner said a proposal to be debated by Congress next week raises health care costs, cuts government benefits to seniors and kills jobs.

He suggested an alternative plan, including allowing individuals to buy health insurance across state lines and pooled together as groups. He also called for limiting malpractice suits.