The latest local news, weather and high school sports in and around Columbia and Jefferson City

President Barack Obama says he won't back away from health care reform. He made the commitment last night in his State of the Union address.

Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Missouri) said reform is critical to reducing the national debt.

"I believe we need firm budget caps and to prevent unprecedented spending, and long term solutions to address our fiscal imbalances,” said McCaskill. “Health care reform must play a role too, we'll never get our deficit under control until we get health care costs under control.”

She also called for bi-partisan co-operation and the end to earmarked spending, made to benefit a few.

On the other side of the aisle, Rep. Blaine Leutkemeyer (R-Missouri) said the president's health care reform plan is a job killer.

He says republicans have a better plan with controls on medical lawsuits.

"It's great to see him willing to open up,” said Luetkemeyer. “He pledged this same thing last year when he was workin' with the stimulus package.  And when we presented him with our ideas, he didn't accept any of 'em.  So, l'm gonna take him at his word tonight and hope he will continue to do that.  But, if you judge your future by the past, this is just another lip service to what actually needs to be done."

Luetkemeyer also called on the president to abandon his cap and trade environmental legislation.

He applauded Obama's call for tax credits and new investment in small business.