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Obama urges action on healthcare Obama urges action on health care
(about 1 hour later)
US President Barack Obama has called on Congress to "finish its work" on reforming the US health care system, and pass sweeping reforms.US President Barack Obama has called on Congress to "finish its work" on reforming the US health care system, and pass sweeping reforms.
In excerpts released from a speech he is to deliver later at the White House, Mr Obama says the American people are waiting on Washington's leaders to act. Mr Obama said Congress should hold a vote on his proposals by simple majority in the next few weeks.
Health care has been a priority for Mr Obama but has been stalled in Congress. Health care has been a priority for Mr Obama but the legislation has been blocked by the Republican minority.
Last week, a televised summit hosted by Mr Obama in Washington failed to break the deadlock between parties.Last week, a televised summit hosted by Mr Obama in Washington failed to break the deadlock between parties.
But the president is urging Congress to act on his latest proposal, updated with a number of Republican ideas. The president wants Congress to back the latest version of his $950bn (£621bn) plan to cover uninsured Americans and lower premiums.
At stake right now is not just our ability to solve this problem, but our ability to solve any problem Barack ObamaAt stake right now is not just our ability to solve this problem, but our ability to solve any problem Barack Obama
The president and his allies want to expand health coverage to include millions of uninsured Americans. He said the proposed reforms had incorporated the best ideas from the Democrats and the Republicans.
"I ask Congress to finish its work, and I look forward to signing this reform into law," Mr Obama said."I ask Congress to finish its work, and I look forward to signing this reform into law," Mr Obama said.
"At stake right now is not just our ability to solve this problem, but our ability to solve any problem," he added."At stake right now is not just our ability to solve this problem, but our ability to solve any problem," he added.
"The American people want to know if it's still possible for Washington to look out for their interests and their future. They are waiting for us to act." Republicans say the country cannot afford the president's plan.
The president wants Congress to back the latest version of his $950bn (£621bn) plan to cover uninsured Americans and lower premiums.
Republicans say the country cannot afford the plan.
Both the House and the Senate voted on their own version of the package last year, but the legislation is currently stalled as the Senate Democrats no longer have the 60-seat majority required to defeat blocking tactics by Republicans.Both the House and the Senate voted on their own version of the package last year, but the legislation is currently stalled as the Senate Democrats no longer have the 60-seat majority required to defeat blocking tactics by Republicans.