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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Obama woos senators on healthcare | Obama woos senators on healthcare |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| US President Barack Obama has met Democratic senators at the White House for talks aimed at getting healthcare reform passed by the end of the year. | |
| The talks came amid signs of further compromise on the bill in order to garner the 60 votes needed for it to pass in the Senate. | |
| A key figure is Joe Lieberman, an independent whose vote is vital to ensure the bill's approval. | A key figure is Joe Lieberman, an independent whose vote is vital to ensure the bill's approval. |
| Securing healthcare reform is a domestic priority for Mr Obama. | Securing healthcare reform is a domestic priority for Mr Obama. |
| The House of Representatives passed its version of the legislation last month but the Senate has not only come up against Republican opposition, but deep divisions in Democratic ranks. | The House of Representatives passed its version of the legislation last month but the Senate has not only come up against Republican opposition, but deep divisions in Democratic ranks. |
| One of the most contentious elements has been the idea of a government-run insurance plan known as a public option. | One of the most contentious elements has been the idea of a government-run insurance plan known as a public option. |
| Those in favour see it as a way of increasing competition in a market dominated by a few private insurance companies. | Those in favour see it as a way of increasing competition in a market dominated by a few private insurance companies. |
| Put me down as encouraged at the direction in which these discussions are going Sen Joe Lieberman Profile: Senator Joe Lieberman Q&A: US healthcare reform | Put me down as encouraged at the direction in which these discussions are going Sen Joe Lieberman Profile: Senator Joe Lieberman Q&A: US healthcare reform |
| Opponents argue that a public option would increase the government's role in healthcare provision, put private insurers out of business and potentially land taxpayers with the cost of caring for millions of people. | Opponents argue that a public option would increase the government's role in healthcare provision, put private insurers out of business and potentially land taxpayers with the cost of caring for millions of people. |
| In the face of opposition from several Democrats and Sen Lieberman, a former Democrat-turned-independent, the public option has been reworked in favour of a non-profit system involving private insurers overseen by a federal agency. | In the face of opposition from several Democrats and Sen Lieberman, a former Democrat-turned-independent, the public option has been reworked in favour of a non-profit system involving private insurers overseen by a federal agency. |
| However, Sen Lieberman, whose vote is essential to stop Republican attempts to block the legislation, late on Monday voiced concern over another element of the compromise plan. | However, Sen Lieberman, whose vote is essential to stop Republican attempts to block the legislation, late on Monday voiced concern over another element of the compromise plan. |
| 'It ain't over' | 'It ain't over' |
| This would allow people aged 55 to 64 to buy in to the government's Medicare programme for the elderly and disabled. | This would allow people aged 55 to 64 to buy in to the government's Medicare programme for the elderly and disabled. |
| "Put me down tonight as encouraged at the direction in which these discussions are going," Sen Lieberman said after talks with Democratic senators on the issue. | "Put me down tonight as encouraged at the direction in which these discussions are going," Sen Lieberman said after talks with Democratic senators on the issue. |
| "But it ain't over till it's over." | "But it ain't over till it's over." |
| Correspondents say this suggests that the Medicare "buy-in" will also be removed from the bill. | Correspondents say this suggests that the Medicare "buy-in" will also be removed from the bill. |
| Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has insisted that there is broad agreement on most of the provisions of the $848bn (£515bn) bill. | Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has insisted that there is broad agreement on most of the provisions of the $848bn (£515bn) bill. |
| "We have gone over most of the hurdles. I'm confident that by next week we'll be on our way to forward this bill to the president." | "We have gone over most of the hurdles. I'm confident that by next week we'll be on our way to forward this bill to the president." |
| President Obama has made a key issue of overhauling the healthcare system, including curbing medical costs and extending coverage to the millions of Americans without health insurance. | President Obama has made a key issue of overhauling the healthcare system, including curbing medical costs and extending coverage to the millions of Americans without health insurance. |
| He is hoping the Senate will pass its bill by the end of the year to avoid the debate continuing into 2010 when congressional elections are due. | He is hoping the Senate will pass its bill by the end of the year to avoid the debate continuing into 2010 when congressional elections are due. |
| Once passed, the Senate version would have to be reconciled with the bill passed by the House of Representatives. | Once passed, the Senate version would have to be reconciled with the bill passed by the House of Representatives. |