(The Hill) — President Obama said Tuesday evening that the American people “have greater health security than they did a year ago” thanks to the healthcare reform law that House Republicans plan to repeal Wednesday.

Following a day of claims and counter-claims about the law’s benefits and costs, Obama said he was “willing and eager” to work with both parties to “improve” his signature domestic achievement.

“But we can’t go backward,” Obama said. “Americans deserve the freedom and security of knowing that insurance companies can’t deny, cap or drop their coverage when they need it the most, while taking meaningful steps to curb runaway healthcare costs.”

The White House has already warned that it would veto repeal legislation in the highly unlikely event that it clears the Senate.