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US House backs healthcare reforms US House backs healthcare reforms
(20 minutes later)
The US House of Representatives has backed a healthcare bill in a step towards reforms promised by President Obama, despite strong opposition.The US House of Representatives has backed a healthcare bill in a step towards reforms promised by President Obama, despite strong opposition.
Passed in a narrow 220-215 vote, the bill aims to extend coverage to 36 million more Americans and provide affordable healthcare to 96%.Passed in a narrow 220-215 vote, the bill aims to extend coverage to 36 million more Americans and provide affordable healthcare to 96%.
The Senate now has to pass a bill and the two must then be reconciled before the programme becomes law.The Senate now has to pass a bill and the two must then be reconciled before the programme becomes law.
Mr Obama has made healthcare reform a central plank of his domestic agenda.Mr Obama has made healthcare reform a central plank of his domestic agenda.
He described Saturday's vote in the House as "historic", saying he was "absolutely confident" the Senate would also back it. He described Saturday's vote in the House as "historic", saying he was "absolutely confident" the Senate would follow suit.
Correspondents say the legislation could lead to the biggest changes in American healthcare in decades.Correspondents say the legislation could lead to the biggest changes in American healthcare in decades.
ConcessionsConcessions
The bill was supported by 219 Democrats and one Republican - Joseph Cao from New Orleans. Opposed were 176 Republicans and 39 Democrats.The bill was supported by 219 Democrats and one Republican - Joseph Cao from New Orleans. Opposed were 176 Republicans and 39 Democrats.
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 reforms: Your viewsHEALTHCARE 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 reforms: Your views
Before Saturday's vote, Mr Obama made a rare visit to Congress to try to persuade wavering members of his own Democratic Party to back the bill. Mr Obama said: "The United States Senate must follow suit and pass its version of the legislation. I am absolutely confident it will, and I look forward to signing comprehensive health insurance reform into law by the end of the year."
The debate had sparked strong emotions on both sides.
Democratic Party representative John Dingell said: "[The bill] offers everyone, regardless of health or income, the peace of mind that comes from knowing they will have access to affordable healthcare when they need it."
But Republican representative Candice Miller said: "We are going to have a complete government takeover of our healthcare system faster than you can say `this is making me sick'."
Before Saturday's vote, Mr Obama had made a rare visit to Congress to try to persuade wavering members of his own Democratic Party to back the bill.
He said such opportunities came around "maybe once in a generation".He said such opportunities came around "maybe once in a generation".
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.
But this so-called "public option" had been scaled back in the wrangling that preceded the House vote.But this so-called "public option" had been scaled back in the wrangling that preceded the House vote.
In the run-up to the vote, conservatives from both the Republican and Democratic parties joined forces to pass new restrictions on abortion coverage in insurance policies to be offered to individuals and groups.In the run-up to the vote, conservatives from both the Republican and Democratic parties joined forces to pass new restrictions on abortion coverage in insurance policies to be offered to individuals and groups.
The amendment had been offered to conservative Democrats as a means of persuading them to vote for the main bill.The amendment had been offered to conservative Democrats as a means of persuading them to vote for the main bill.
A Senate debate on healthcare reform is expected in the coming days.A Senate debate on healthcare reform is expected in the coming days.
Senate majority leader Harry Reid said after the House vote: "We realise the strong will for reform that exists, and we are energised that we stand closer than ever to reforming our broken health insurance system."