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US Democrats seek to build momentum on health care

(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-09-11 09:05

 

US president Barack Obama greets Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, a longtime advocate of health care reform, on his way to address Congress on Wednesday. [Agencies]

WASHINGTON: Democrats pushing for a drastic overhaul of the $2.5 trillion US healthcare system prepared for fresh battles yesterday after President Barack Obama set out new details on his top policy priority.

Obama was scheduled to meet with his cabinet following his Wednesday address to Congress, which sought to overcome rising public skepticism over his ability to bring about healthcare changes that have eluded Democratic lawmakers for generations.

The number of people living in the United States without health insurance rose to 46.3 million in 2008 from 45.7 million a year earlier, a US Census Bureau official said yesterday. Any rise could give fresh ammunition to Democrats urging basic changes in the US insurance system.

Obama hoped his speech would reclaim control of a debate that has bogged down in Congress even as his own public approval numbers dropped.

He said the overhaul would cut costs, improve care and regulate insurers to help protect consumers while expanding coverage. He repeated his pledge that the proposal, which would cost $900 billion over 10 years, would not increase the budget deficit.

As promised, he spelled out the concepts he wanted in any final bill passed by Congress, including affordable coverage for all Americans and creation of an insurance exchange where individuals and small businesses could shop for policies.

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He reiterated his support for a government-run insurance plan - the so-called "public option" - that has drawn strong opposition from critics who say it would harm insurance companies and amount to a government takeover of the industry. But he was clear that the lack of a public option in any final bill would not be a deal-breaker.

In a bid to win Republican support, Obama proposed a series of state demonstration projects on medical malpractice reform. He also endorsed a plan from his Republican foe in the 2008 presidential race, Senator John McCain, for an insurance pool for high-risk consumers.

He said millions of uninsured were living one illness away from bankruptcy in the US, and others could not get insurance because of pre-existing conditions. He promised tax credits for individuals who cannot afford coverage.

"We are the only advanced democracy on Earth - the only wealthy nation - that allows such hardships for millions of its people," he said.

Apology follows outburst

Democrats and Republicans alike were denouncing Rep. Joe Wilson for shouting "You lie!" at President Barack Obama during his speech to Congress, an extraordinary breach of decorum for which the South Carolina Republican swiftly apologized.

"There'll be time enough to consider whether or not we ought to make it clear that that action is unacceptable in the House of Representatives," House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said. "I've talked to Republican members who share that view."

Reuters-AP