July 23, 2009
Jubel Thomas Joy
Obama defends healthcare plans
President Barack Obama has defended his plans for health reform in a news conference broadcast live in the US. Mr Obama pledged to push through a reform package by the end of the year that would reduce health costs, increase choice and widen coverage.
Congress is currently debating various proposals, and lawmakers are struggling to reach agreement.
Mr Obama said he now saw "broad agreement" on passing a reform, but a few issues still needed working out. The president has made passing a health care reform bill the top priority of his first year in the White House. In the past 10 days, he has embarked on an aggressive push to promote his plans, as members of Congress argue over the details of reform.
The BBC's Jane O'Brien in Washington says this is the first big test of Mr Obama's political strength and a measure of how far he is prepared to bend to achieve his agenda.
Any failure will be seen by his opponents as a major personal defeat, she says.
More information visit: BBC News
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