Despite the fact that President Obama's endeavors pertaining to the overhaul of the US health care system have almost 'missed the target', the President still retains his optimism on the subject, and has challenged the critics to stop making "phony claims" about proposals.

Seeking an "honest debate" on the health care reform proposals, Obama said in his weekly radio and Internet address on Saturday: "This is an issue of vital concern to every American, and I'm glad that so many are engaged. But it also should be an honest debate, not one dominated by willful misrepresentations and outright distortions, spread by the very folks who would benefit the most by keeping things exactly as they are."

Discrediting some of the "outrageous myths" about the proposal, Obama said that, contrary to the ideas being circulated on the Internet and cable TV, the overhaul would neither cover illegal immigrants nor would it use taxpayer dollars to pay for abortions.

Furthermore, debunking the so-called "death panels" - an idea floated by ex-Alaska Governor Sarah Palin on her Facebook page -, Obama said that any credible person who looks into the reforms can vouch that there are no 'death panels.'

Obama also clarified that, no matter what the critics may be saying at the controversial town-hall style meetings, the government does not intend taking over the health care of the country!