Updated

President Obama says the term "Obamacare," the name critics have long used for the health care bill he championed through Congress in 2009, is just fine with him.

At a Minnesota stop on his Midwest bus tour, the president said Monday the term describes his feelings on the controversial health care legislation and clearly shows what side he's on.

"[P]art of the Affordable Care Act health care reform, also known as "Obamacare" -- by the way, you know what? Let me tell you, I have no problem with folks saying "Obama cares." I do care," the president said. "If the other side wants to be the folks who don't care, that's fine with me."

Though his political adversaries often use the term as a rallying cry against the president's policies, he has largely steered clear of the word that ties his name to the law.