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Obama urges action on healthcare Obama urges action on healthcare
(18 minutes later)
US President Barack Obama has made one of the most critical speeches of his presidency, as he faced Congress over his plans for healthcare reform.US President Barack Obama has made one of the most critical speeches of his presidency, as he faced Congress over his plans for healthcare reform.
Mr Obama said that failure to introduce reform had led the country to breaking point and it was now time to act.Mr Obama said that failure to introduce reform had led the country to breaking point and it was now time to act.
He said he planned to improve health insurance for those who have it and to create an insurance exchange to extend cover to those who do not.He said he planned to improve health insurance for those who have it and to create an insurance exchange to extend cover to those who do not.
Members of Congress are preparing to fight over details of the reforms.Members of Congress are preparing to fight over details of the reforms.
See how healthcare spending is divided up See how healthcare spending is divided up
Mr Obama told Congress that the US was the only rich country that allowed millions of its people to endure the hardship of going without healthcare.Mr Obama told Congress that the US was the only rich country that allowed millions of its people to endure the hardship of going without healthcare.
"Everyone understands the extraordinary hardships that are placed on the uninsured, who live every day just one accident or illness away from bankruptcy," he said."Everyone understands the extraordinary hardships that are placed on the uninsured, who live every day just one accident or illness away from bankruptcy," he said.
"These are not primarily people on welfare. These are middle-class Americans.""These are not primarily people on welfare. These are middle-class Americans."
It seemed to go down pretty well in the chamber, but it's how Americans receive it over the next few hours and days that really counts Mark Mardell BBC North America editor Mark Mardell follows the speech Big grin from the president and a long period of clapping when he adopts the Republicans' idea for reforming medical malpractice laws Mark Mardell BBC North America editor Mark Mardell follows the speech
But Mr Obama said the current system did not serve those Americans who do have health insurance well either.But Mr Obama said the current system did not serve those Americans who do have health insurance well either.
"Those who do have insurance have never had less security and stability than they do today."Those who do have insurance have never had less security and stability than they do today.
"More and more Americans worry that if you move, lose your job, or change your job, you'll lose your health insurance too.""More and more Americans worry that if you move, lose your job, or change your job, you'll lose your health insurance too."
He said the US spent one-and-half times more on health insurance than any other country but Americans were no healthier than other people.He said the US spent one-and-half times more on health insurance than any other country but Americans were no healthier than other people.
Insurance exchangeInsurance exchange
Mr Obama set out details of his plan to reform the system.Mr Obama set out details of his plan to reform the system.
He said that nothing in his proposal would require Americans who already have health insurance to change their coverage or doctor.He said that nothing in his proposal would require Americans who already have health insurance to change their coverage or doctor.
But he said he would make the insurance work better for individuals by prohibiting insurers from dropping coverage for sick patients or by capping it.But he said he would make the insurance work better for individuals by prohibiting insurers from dropping coverage for sick patients or by capping it.
HEALTHCARE IN THE US 46 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 Healthcare reform: Who wants what? HEALTHCARE IN THE US 46 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 class="" href="/2/hi/americas/8202275.stm">Anger clouds US healthcare debate class="" href="/2/hi/americas/8194485.stm">Are healthcare protests genuine?
He would also require insurers to cover the cost of routine check-ups and preventative care.He would also require insurers to cover the cost of routine check-ups and preventative care.
For the millions of uninsured Americans, he said he would create an insurance exchange - a market place where individuals and small business will be able to shop for health insurance at competitive prices.For the millions of uninsured Americans, he said he would create an insurance exchange - a market place where individuals and small business will be able to shop for health insurance at competitive prices.
Public insurance optionPublic insurance option
Mr Obama said a public insurance option could help keep the private health insurance companies honest and competitive.Mr Obama said a public insurance option could help keep the private health insurance companies honest and competitive.
But he said it would not be subsidised by the government, so would not form unfair competition for them.But he said it would not be subsidised by the government, so would not form unfair competition for them.
He added that the public option was only a means to an end, and he remained open to other ideas if they had the same effect.He added that the public option was only a means to an end, and he remained open to other ideas if they had the same effect.
Healthcare reform has been the central issue of his change agenda but has divided both the US public and the country's political establishment.Healthcare reform has been the central issue of his change agenda but has divided both the US public and the country's political establishment.
President Obama said that Congress agreed on about 80% of the reforms that are needed.President Obama said that Congress agreed on about 80% of the reforms that are needed.
But he said months of partisan bickering had only hardened the disdain many Americans have towards their own government.But he said months of partisan bickering had only hardened the disdain many Americans have towards their own government.
He is facing almost unanimous opposition from Republicans, who are uneasy about the idea of government-run healthcare and who have accused Mr Obama of attempting to introduce a "socialist" policy.He is facing almost unanimous opposition from Republicans, who are uneasy about the idea of government-run healthcare and who have accused Mr Obama of attempting to introduce a "socialist" policy.
There are, in theory, enough Democrats in Congress to approve the changes.There are, in theory, enough Democrats in Congress to approve the changes.
But in practice, the party is deeply divided between those that want a publicly-run insurance scheme and those alarmed by the borrowing necessary to fund it.But in practice, the party is deeply divided between those that want a publicly-run insurance scheme and those alarmed by the borrowing necessary to fund it.
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What do you think about President Obama's plans for health care reform? Did he silence his critics? If you are an American how will it affect you? Send us your comments using the form belowWhat do you think about President Obama's plans for health care reform? Did he silence his critics? If you are an American how will it affect you? Send us your comments using the form below
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