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Showdown over US healthcare law looms Showdown over US healthcare law looms
(35 minutes later)
President Barack Obama has met fellow Democrats in Congress to discuss how to protect the healthcare reforms he instituted, often called Obamacare.President Barack Obama has met fellow Democrats in Congress to discuss how to protect the healthcare reforms he instituted, often called Obamacare.
He spent two hours behind closed doors and reportedly told his party to "stay strong" as they preserved his key law.
The visit came as Vice President-elect Mike Pence also visited Congress to plan his party's strategy to "repeal and replace" the law.The visit came as Vice President-elect Mike Pence also visited Congress to plan his party's strategy to "repeal and replace" the law.
President-elect Donald Trump criticised the law during his campaign, but later vowed to protect some elements. The law has extended health coverage to an estimated 20 million Americans.
He tweeted on Wednesday that Democrats "own the failed ObamaCare disaster". Republicans say it has failed to deliver on its promises and increased premium costs.
In a string of tweets Mr Trump also attacked the "poor coverage" and the rate increases that even some Democrats have criticised in recent months. But Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer warned that scrapping the law would throw the insurance marketplace into turmoil and - in a play on Mr Trump's campaign slogan - will "Make America Sick Again".
The law has extended health coverage to an estimated 20 million Americans, and Republicans have been warned that chaos may follow if they abolish it.
Addressing these concerns after meeting members of his party on Capitol Hill, Vice-President elect Mike Pence said a new law was in the pipeline.Addressing these concerns after meeting members of his party on Capitol Hill, Vice-President elect Mike Pence said a new law was in the pipeline.
"The architecture of the replacement of Obamacare will come together, as it should, through the legislative process in the weeks and months ahead," he said."The architecture of the replacement of Obamacare will come together, as it should, through the legislative process in the weeks and months ahead," he said.
A White House spokesman told reporters that during his meetings, Mr Obama urged Democrats to "tell the story of their constituents who benefit" from the law.
Some of those present told US media the president told them to "stay strong" in the face of the challenge.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer warned that scrapping the law would throw the insurance marketplace into turmoil and - in a play on Mr Trump's campaign slogan - will "Make America Sick Again".
At Congress - Democrats defiant - Laura Bicker, BBC NewsAt Congress - Democrats defiant - Laura Bicker, BBC News
President Obama is not prepared to give up on his healthcare reforms without a fight. His final visit to Congress is a reminder that in just 16 days time, his fellow Democrats will hold very little political sway in this battle.President Obama is not prepared to give up on his healthcare reforms without a fight. His final visit to Congress is a reminder that in just 16 days time, his fellow Democrats will hold very little political sway in this battle.
But publicly they've decided to talk tough. Congressman Gregory Meeks told me he knows Obamacare has its faults but it brings healthcare to millions who wouldn't otherwise have it. That's a key message Democrats are trying to publicise but it is one they perhaps didn't make clearly enough during the election campaign.But publicly they've decided to talk tough. Congressman Gregory Meeks told me he knows Obamacare has its faults but it brings healthcare to millions who wouldn't otherwise have it. That's a key message Democrats are trying to publicise but it is one they perhaps didn't make clearly enough during the election campaign.
But they also know Republicans have a weak spot. Repealing Obamacare will be the easy part - they have the votes they need and the backing of a president-elect who made it a key campaign pledge.But they also know Republicans have a weak spot. Repealing Obamacare will be the easy part - they have the votes they need and the backing of a president-elect who made it a key campaign pledge.
But so far, no Republican has come forward with a clear replacement plan - Congressman Bruce Westerman told me they don't want to rip up and get rid of all of the reforms. Democrats hope they can at least exploit this to delay any dismantling of the affordable health care act and in doing so preserve President Obama's key legislative achievement.But so far, no Republican has come forward with a clear replacement plan - Congressman Bruce Westerman told me they don't want to rip up and get rid of all of the reforms. Democrats hope they can at least exploit this to delay any dismantling of the affordable health care act and in doing so preserve President Obama's key legislative achievement.
Mr Trump has called scrapping the 2010 healthcare law a top priority, claiming in October that it will be replaced by something "much better and much less expensive". A White House spokesman told reporters that during his meetings, Mr Obama urged Democrats to "tell the story of their constituents who benefit" from the law.
But after meeting President Obama in the days following his November victory he vowed to keep some popular elements of the law in place, such as barring insurance companies from denying coverage to people with pre-existing medical conditions. Some of those present told US media the president told them to "stay strong" in the face of the challenge.
President-elect Donald Trump criticised the Affordable Care Act during his campaign, but later vowed to protect some elements.
He called scrapping the 2010 healthcare law a top priority, claiming in October that it will be replaced by something "much better and much less expensive".
But after meeting President Obama in the days following his November victory, he vowed to keep some popular elements of the law in place, such as barring insurance companies from denying coverage to people with pre-existing medical conditions.
In a string of tweets on Wednesday, Mr Trump attacked the "poor coverage" and the premium rate increases that even some Democrats have criticised in recent months.
Mr Trump will be sworn-in as the 45th US president on 20 January.Mr Trump will be sworn-in as the 45th US president on 20 January.
What is 'Obamacare'?What is 'Obamacare'?
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