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US TV 'focused on health anger' US TV 'focused on health anger'
(10 minutes later)
US President Barack Obama has accused the media of focusing on healthcare forums only when "tempers flare".US President Barack Obama has accused the media of focusing on healthcare forums only when "tempers flare".
"What you haven't seen on TV and what makes me proud are the many constructive meetings going on all over the country," he said."What you haven't seen on TV and what makes me proud are the many constructive meetings going on all over the country," he said.
Speaking at a town hall meeting in Montana, Mr Obama called on Americans who have insurance to support reform.Speaking at a town hall meeting in Montana, Mr Obama called on Americans who have insurance to support reform.
Extending coverage to the millions of Americans who lack health insurance is Mr Obama's top priority for 2009.Extending coverage to the millions of Americans who lack health insurance is Mr Obama's top priority for 2009.
In recent days, a number of healthcare "town-hall" meetings hosted by US lawmakers have been targeted by conservative opponents of reform.In recent days, a number of healthcare "town-hall" meetings hosted by US lawmakers have been targeted by conservative opponents of reform.
The opposition has sometimes been quite vocal, with anti-reform campaigners chanting slogans and shouting down supporters of reform.The opposition has sometimes been quite vocal, with anti-reform campaigners chanting slogans and shouting down supporters of reform.
RuckusRuckus
"I know there's been a lot of attention paid to some of the town hall meetings that are going on around the country, especially when tempers flare," said Mr Obama."I know there's been a lot of attention paid to some of the town hall meetings that are going on around the country, especially when tempers flare," said Mr Obama.
"TV loves a ruckus.""TV loves a ruckus."
Mr Obama said he was pleased that an event he had attended earlier this week had been less rowdy.Mr Obama said he was pleased that an event he had attended earlier this week had been less rowdy.
"I was glad to see that people were there not to shout, they were there to listen and to ask questions. That reflects America a lot more than what we've seen covered on television for the last few days.""I was glad to see that people were there not to shout, they were there to listen and to ask questions. That reflects America a lot more than what we've seen covered on television for the last few days."
Mr Obama has said that he wants to pass a healthcare reform bill before the end of the year.Mr Obama has said that he wants to pass a healthcare reform bill before the end of the year.
Some 47 million Americans currently do not have health insurance, and rising healthcare costs are a major contributing factor to America's spiralling budget deficit. Some 47 million people in America currently do not have health insurance, and rising healthcare costs are a major contributing factor to America's spiralling budget deficit.
But there is disagreement about how to go about reforming the system.But there is disagreement about how to go about reforming the system.
HEALTHCARE IN THE US 47 million uninsured, 25 million under-insuredHealthcare costs represent 16% of GDP, almost twice OECD averageReform plans would require all Americans to get insuranceSome propose public insurance option to compete with private insurers Q&A: US healthcare reform Anger clouds US healthcare debateHEALTHCARE IN THE US 47 million uninsured, 25 million under-insuredHealthcare costs represent 16% of GDP, almost twice OECD averageReform plans would require all Americans to get insuranceSome propose public insurance option to compete with private insurers Q&A: US healthcare reform Anger clouds US healthcare debate
Democrats in the House of Representatives have reportedly reached a deal on a bill that would mandate all Americans to take out health insurance, with subsidies for the less well-off paid for by a tax on families earning over $350,000 a year.Democrats in the House of Representatives have reportedly reached a deal on a bill that would mandate all Americans to take out health insurance, with subsidies for the less well-off paid for by a tax on families earning over $350,000 a year.
The House bill would also offer Americans who do not get coverage through their employer the chance to join a publicly-run scheme.The House bill would also offer Americans who do not get coverage through their employer the chance to join a publicly-run scheme.
But in the Senate negotiations have stalled, with moderate senators expressing opposition to both the tax and the public plan proposed by the House.But in the Senate negotiations have stalled, with moderate senators expressing opposition to both the tax and the public plan proposed by the House.
Both chambers need to agree on a bill before it can become law.Both chambers need to agree on a bill before it can become law.