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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
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| Protests over Obama health reform | Protests over Obama health reform |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Tens of thousands of people have marched from the White House to Capitol Hill in Washington to protest against Barack Obama's healthcare reforms. | Tens of thousands of people have marched from the White House to Capitol Hill in Washington to protest against Barack Obama's healthcare reforms. |
| The demonstrations came as the US president sought to boost support for his plans during a Minneapolis rally. | The demonstrations came as the US president sought to boost support for his plans during a Minneapolis rally. |
| Addressing a crowd of 15,000, Mr Obama said he refused to accept no change on his top domestic priority. | Addressing a crowd of 15,000, Mr Obama said he refused to accept no change on his top domestic priority. |
| He said he would not allow special interests to "use the same old tactics to keep things the way they are". | He said he would not allow special interests to "use the same old tactics to keep things the way they are". |
| "I will not accept the status quo. Not this time. Not now," Mr Obama said in the democratic-leaning state, which has one of the country's smallest numbers of uninsured residents. | "I will not accept the status quo. Not this time. Not now," Mr Obama said in the democratic-leaning state, which has one of the country's smallest numbers of uninsured residents. |
| 'Taxed to death' | 'Taxed to death' |
| But in Washington protesters attacked Mr Obama's administration for what it called out-of-control spending - on healthcare, the stimulus packages and the bailout of the banking and car industries. | But in Washington protesters attacked Mr Obama's administration for what it called out-of-control spending - on healthcare, the stimulus packages and the bailout of the banking and car industries. |
| Protesters are angry at what they say is reckless public spending | Protesters are angry at what they say is reckless public spending |
| Healthcare in the US costs $2.2tn a year, or 16% of the country's GDP - nearly double the OECD average. | Healthcare in the US costs $2.2tn a year, or 16% of the country's GDP - nearly double the OECD average. |
| The protestors insist that spending tax dollars on a government-run health insurance option will increase inflation and lead the country to economic ruin. | The protestors insist that spending tax dollars on a government-run health insurance option will increase inflation and lead the country to economic ruin. |
| "Born free, taxed to death," one protester's sign read while another, held up by an immigrant from Ukraine, said: "I had enough of socialism in the USSR." | "Born free, taxed to death," one protester's sign read while another, held up by an immigrant from Ukraine, said: "I had enough of socialism in the USSR." |
| The march - co-ordinated by the conservative Freedomworks organisation which calls for lower taxes and smaller government - brought together protesters from across different states. | |
| 'Door open' | 'Door open' |
| Days after urging Democrats and Republicans in Congress to work together, Mr Obama said his plan was open to ideas from across the political spectrum. | Days after urging Democrats and Republicans in Congress to work together, Mr Obama said his plan was open to ideas from across the political spectrum. |
| 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 Send us your comments | 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 Send us your comments |
| "If you come to me with a serious set of proposals, I will be there to listen. My door is always open," he said. | "If you come to me with a serious set of proposals, I will be there to listen. My door is always open," he said. |
| He warned, though, that he would not waste time with those who believe: "it's better politics to kill this plan than improve it". | He warned, though, that he would not waste time with those who believe: "it's better politics to kill this plan than improve it". |
| It is estimated that some 46 million Americans do not have health insurance, and a further 25 million are thought to have inadequate insurance. | It is estimated that some 46 million Americans do not have health insurance, and a further 25 million are thought to have inadequate insurance. |
| The healthcare plans currently being considered in Congress are all attempting to expand coverage, while also reforming the system to prevent spiralling costs. | The healthcare plans currently being considered in Congress are all attempting to expand coverage, while also reforming the system to prevent spiralling costs. |
| The bill would expand coverage to 97% of Americans, at a cost of some $900bn (£540bn). | The bill would expand coverage to 97% of Americans, at a cost of some $900bn (£540bn). |