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| Obama to unveil new health plan | Obama to unveil new health plan |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| US President Barack Obama is to unveil new proposals to advance legislation to overhaul the US healthcare system. | US President Barack Obama is to unveil new proposals to advance legislation to overhaul the US healthcare system. |
| One of the key proposals is expected to give the US government new power to block health insurers from imposing excessive premium increases. | One of the key proposals is expected to give the US government new power to block health insurers from imposing excessive premium increases. |
| Mr Obama has made healthcare reform a centrepiece of his presidency, but has so far failed to get a new law passed. | Mr Obama has made healthcare reform a centrepiece of his presidency, but has so far failed to get a new law passed. |
| On Thursday, Mr Obama is to hold televised, bipartisan talks at the White House to discuss the issue. | On Thursday, Mr Obama is to hold televised, bipartisan talks at the White House to discuss the issue. |
| The insurance rate proposal would give the federal Health and Human Services Department - in conjunction with state authorities - the power to deny substantial premium increases, limit them, or demand rebates for consumers, a White House official said ahead of the proposals' release. | The insurance rate proposal would give the federal Health and Human Services Department - in conjunction with state authorities - the power to deny substantial premium increases, limit them, or demand rebates for consumers, a White House official said ahead of the proposals' release. |
| I ask members of both parties to seek common ground in an effort to solve a problem that's been with us for generations Barack Obama Q&A: US healthcare reform Heath bills: House v Senate | |
| Mr Obama's latest plan is expected to require most Americans to carry health insurance coverage, with federal subsidies to help many afford the premiums. | Mr Obama's latest plan is expected to require most Americans to carry health insurance coverage, with federal subsidies to help many afford the premiums. |
| It would bar insurance companies from denying coverage to people with existing medical problems or charging them more. | It would bar insurance companies from denying coverage to people with existing medical problems or charging them more. |
| A tax on high-cost health insurance plans objected to by House Democrats - and trade unions - would be scaled back. | A tax on high-cost health insurance plans objected to by House Democrats - and trade unions - would be scaled back. |
| The White House is to release details of the plan on its website later on Monday. | The White House is to release details of the plan on its website later on Monday. |
| Bitter debate | Bitter debate |
| The Democrats' loss of a Senate seat in Massachusetts to Republican Scott Brown in January deprived them of their filibuster-proof 60-seat majority in the Senate, although they still control both houses. | The Democrats' loss of a Senate seat in Massachusetts to Republican Scott Brown in January deprived them of their filibuster-proof 60-seat majority in the Senate, although they still control both houses. |
| Thursday's debate is seen as a key moment in Mr Obama's bid to pass new legislation, and comes after months of often bitterly-contested congressional debates. | Thursday's debate is seen as a key moment in Mr Obama's bid to pass new legislation, and comes after months of often bitterly-contested congressional debates. |
| Mr Obama referred to the talks in his weekly radio address on Saturday, saying: "I don't want to see this meeting turn into political theatre, with each side simply reciting talking points and trying to score political points. | |
| "Instead, I ask members of both parties to seek common ground in an effort to solve a problem that's been with us for generations." | |
| The House of Representatives and the Senate adopted different versions of the bill at the end of last year, and they must now be combined into a single bill Mr Obama can sign into law. | The House of Representatives and the Senate adopted different versions of the bill at the end of last year, and they must now be combined into a single bill Mr Obama can sign into law. |
| Mr Obama says reform of the healthcare system is crucial for the US economy to rein in costs over the long term. | Mr Obama says reform of the healthcare system is crucial for the US economy to rein in costs over the long term. |