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Obama to face Congress on health Obama to face Congress on health
(21 minutes later)
US President Barack Obama is set to make one of the most critical speeches of his presidency, as he faces Congress over his plans for healthcare reform.US President Barack Obama is set to make one of the most critical speeches of his presidency, as he faces Congress over his plans for healthcare reform.
Mr Obama has said the prime-time speech at 2000 (0000GMT) will clarify what changes he is proposing.Mr Obama has said the prime-time speech at 2000 (0000GMT) will clarify what changes he is proposing.
According to the White House, Mr Obama will say after 100 years of effort to reform healthcare, he wants to be the last president to deal with the issue.According to the White House, Mr Obama will say after 100 years of effort to reform healthcare, he wants to be the last president to deal with the issue.
He will say that if reforms are not produced, more Americans will die.He will say that if reforms are not produced, more Americans will die.
See how healthcare spending is divided up See how healthcare spending is divided up
Members of Congress are preparing to fight over details of the reforms, as they return after the summer recess.Members of Congress are preparing to fight over details of the reforms, as they return after the summer recess.
In an interview with ABC News broadcast earlier in the day, Mr Obama said the point of his speech would be to ensure that people understood exactly what was being proposed.In an interview with ABC News broadcast earlier in the day, Mr Obama said the point of his speech would be to ensure that people understood exactly what was being proposed.
He said he also wanted to remain open to new ideas.He said he also wanted to remain open to new ideas.
President Obama, speaking on Labor day, accused opponents of not coming up with any answers Mark Mardell BBC North America editor href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/markmardell/">Read more from Mark Mardell President Obama is going to say that the health care system is at breaking point Mark Mardell BBC North America editor href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/markmardell/">Mark Mardell: Substance from Obama?
He told ABC he wanted to "make sure that Democrats and Republicans understand that I'm open to new ideas, that we're not being rigid and ideological about this thing but we do intend to get something done this year".He told ABC he wanted to "make sure that Democrats and Republicans understand that I'm open to new ideas, that we're not being rigid and ideological about this thing but we do intend to get something done this year".
Mr Obama said that when he initially raised the proposals he had "probably left too much ambiguity".Mr Obama said that when he initially raised the proposals he had "probably left too much ambiguity".
Now, he said, he now wanted to "dispel some of the myths and, frankly, silliness that's been floating out there for quite some time".Now, he said, he now wanted to "dispel some of the myths and, frankly, silliness that's been floating out there for quite some time".
'False notions''False notions'
Analysts say the speech is perhaps the most critical juncture of Mr Obama's presidency so far.Analysts say the speech is perhaps the most critical juncture of Mr Obama's presidency so far.
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 Anger clouds US healthcare debate Are healthcare protests genuine?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 Anger clouds US healthcare debate Are healthcare protests genuine?
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.
One problem is that the issue is so complex many Americans say they do not fully understand the proposals.One problem is that the issue is so complex many Americans say they do not fully understand the proposals.
Mr Obama said he wanted to address the "ridiculous idea" that the bill includes proposals for so-called death panels - doctors determining who should receive treatment.Mr Obama said he wanted to address the "ridiculous idea" that the bill includes proposals for so-called death panels - doctors determining who should receive treatment.
He would also tackle "false notions" that the moved was aimed at providing health insurance to illegal immigrants and the broader notion that the government was taking over health care.He would also tackle "false notions" that the moved was aimed at providing health insurance to illegal immigrants and the broader notion that the government was taking over health care.
The BBC's Kevin Connolly, in Washington, says the president will need all his oratory skill to rescue his hopes for reform.The BBC's Kevin Connolly, in Washington, says the president will need all his oratory skill to rescue his hopes for reform.
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, our correspondent says.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, our correspondent says.
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