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| Obama in 11th-hour US health plea | Obama in 11th-hour US health plea |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| US President Barack Obama has launched a last-minute effort to secure approval of his landmark healthcare reforms by the House of Representatives. | US President Barack Obama has launched a last-minute effort to secure approval of his landmark healthcare reforms by the House of Representatives. |
| Mr Obama made a rare visit to Congress to try to persuade wavering members of his own Democratic Party. | Mr Obama made a rare visit to Congress to try to persuade wavering members of his own Democratic Party. |
| Later he urged them to "finish the job" and "answer the call of history". | Later he urged them to "finish the job" and "answer the call of history". |
| The bill will extend coverage to 36m more Americans and provide affordable healthcare to 96%, supporters say. All House Republicans are opposed to it. | The bill will extend coverage to 36m more Americans and provide affordable healthcare to 96%, supporters say. All House Republicans are opposed to it. |
| If the bill passes, the next step will be to reconcile it with a separate Senate bill. | If the bill passes, the next step will be to reconcile it with a separate Senate bill. |
| Public option | Public option |
| President Obama has made reform of the healthcare system a central plank of his domestic agenda. | President Obama has made reform of the healthcare system a central plank of his domestic agenda. |
| HEALTHCARE IN THE US 47 million uninsured, 25 million under-insuredHealthcare costs represent 16% of GDP, almost twice OECD average Q&A: US healthcare reform | HEALTHCARE IN THE US 47 million uninsured, 25 million under-insuredHealthcare costs represent 16% of GDP, almost twice OECD average Q&A: US healthcare reform |
| After private talks with lawmakers on Saturday, he said such opportunities came around "maybe once in a generation". | After private talks with lawmakers on Saturday, he said such opportunities came around "maybe once in a generation". |
| He added: "Even when it's hard - especially when it's hard. This is our moment to deliver. | He added: "Even when it's hard - especially when it's hard. This is our moment to deliver. |
| "I urge members of Congress to rise to this moment - answer the call of history and vote 'yes' for health insurance reform for America." | "I urge members of Congress to rise to this moment - answer the call of history and vote 'yes' for health insurance reform for America." |
| There are a total of 258 Democrats in the House, but many have not committed to support the reforms. | There are a total of 258 Democrats in the House, but many have not committed to support the reforms. |
| Mr Obama needs 218 votes - more than half the 435 House seats. The New York Times said he had secured 205 votes by Friday evening and was negotiating for the other 13. | Mr Obama needs 218 votes - more than half the 435 House seats. The New York Times said he had secured 205 votes by Friday evening and was negotiating for the other 13. |
| After meeting the president, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she was confident of a win. | After meeting the president, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she was confident of a win. |
| The House debate opened on Saturday with Democrats who support it saying it was needed morally, socially and economically. | The House debate opened on Saturday with Democrats who support it saying it was needed morally, socially and economically. |
| Its mainly Republican opponents say the bill is over-ambitious, creates too much government control and could be hugely damaging to the economy. | Its mainly Republican opponents say the bill is over-ambitious, creates too much government control and could be hugely damaging to the economy. |
| Delays? | Delays? |
| The bill would allow the government to sell insurance in competition with private companies and make insurers offer cover to those with pre-existing conditions. | The bill would allow the government to sell insurance in competition with private companies and make insurers offer cover to those with pre-existing conditions. |
| Obama makes health vote plea | |
| But this so-called "public option" has been scaled back in the wrangling that preceded the House vote. | But this so-called "public option" has been scaled back in the wrangling that preceded the House vote. |
| The Democrats have reportedly offered concessions to anti-abortion legislators to allow a vote on an amendment on whether to allow public funding for abortion programmes. | The Democrats have reportedly offered concessions to anti-abortion legislators to allow a vote on an amendment on whether to allow public funding for abortion programmes. |
| The Washington Post predicted the anti-abortion lobby would now win that amendment vote and anger abortion rights supporters within the Democratic Party. | The Washington Post predicted the anti-abortion lobby would now win that amendment vote and anger abortion rights supporters within the Democratic Party. |
| Mississippi's Republican Governor Haley Barbour said the bill should be "withdrawn and reworked" in favour of a more modest programme. | Mississippi's Republican Governor Haley Barbour said the bill should be "withdrawn and reworked" in favour of a more modest programme. |
| Although the House vote could come on Saturday, Mr Hoyer said it could be delayed to Sunday or even as late as Tuesday. | Although the House vote could come on Saturday, Mr Hoyer said it could be delayed to Sunday or even as late as Tuesday. |
| Once both the House and Senate have approved their own versions, a conference committee, made up of lawmakers from both houses, will convene to reconcile the two. | Once both the House and Senate have approved their own versions, a conference committee, made up of lawmakers from both houses, will convene to reconcile the two. |
| If both chambers then vote in favour of the reconciled version, it will be sent to Mr Obama for his approval, and become law. | If both chambers then vote in favour of the reconciled version, it will be sent to Mr Obama for his approval, and become law. |
| Will you be affected by Obama's healthcare reforms? Do you think the proposal will be approved? Are you a healthcare worker in the US? Send us your comments on the form below. | Will you be affected by Obama's healthcare reforms? Do you think the proposal will be approved? Are you a healthcare worker in the US? Send us your comments on the form below. |
| A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |