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| Obama lobbies doctors on reforms | |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| US President Barack Obama has been outlining his controversial healthcare reform plans to a meeting of doctors in a bid to secure their support. | |
| At the annual meeting of the American Medical Association (AMA), he has set out his arguments for a public insurance programme. | At the annual meeting of the American Medical Association (AMA), he has set out his arguments for a public insurance programme. |
| Doctors, along with other groups, are divided over Mr Obama's proposals. | Doctors, along with other groups, are divided over Mr Obama's proposals. |
| Health reform was one of Mr Obama's key election promises. Nearly 50 million people are without medical insurance. | Health reform was one of Mr Obama's key election promises. Nearly 50 million people are without medical insurance. |
| Mr Obama is proposing a 10-year reform programme, estimated to cost about $1 trillion, that would make healthcare available to all Americans. | Mr Obama is proposing a 10-year reform programme, estimated to cost about $1 trillion, that would make healthcare available to all Americans. |
| While many accept the need for some healthcare reforms, debate is raging over the details. | While many accept the need for some healthcare reforms, debate is raging over the details. |
| Proposed savings | Proposed savings |
| In his speech to the AMA, President Obama will make his case for "a health insurance exchange where private plans compete with a public option that drives down costs and expands choice," a senior administration official was quoted by Reuters news agency as saying. | In his speech to the AMA, President Obama will make his case for "a health insurance exchange where private plans compete with a public option that drives down costs and expands choice," a senior administration official was quoted by Reuters news agency as saying. |
| But many groups - including the AMA - have expressed concern that a public plan would have competitive advantages that would ultimately drive private insurers out of the market. | But many groups - including the AMA - have expressed concern that a public plan would have competitive advantages that would ultimately drive private insurers out of the market. |
| An AMA board member told a Senate panel hearing last week that the group "strongly opposes" a public, government-run insurance plan that pays physicians at the rates of the Medicare programme for the elderly. | An AMA board member told a Senate panel hearing last week that the group "strongly opposes" a public, government-run insurance plan that pays physicians at the rates of the Medicare programme for the elderly. |
| Dr Samantha Rosman said the AMA is in favour "of a new option that is market-based and not run by the government". | Dr Samantha Rosman said the AMA is in favour "of a new option that is market-based and not run by the government". |
| President Obama on Sunday announced a further $313bn (£190bn) in proposed savings to help reform healthcare. | President Obama on Sunday announced a further $313bn (£190bn) in proposed savings to help reform healthcare. |
| He said the savings - made by cutting waste in the Medicare programme and the Medicaid programme for poor people - would "rein in unnecessary spending and increase efficiency and the quality of care". | He said the savings - made by cutting waste in the Medicare programme and the Medicaid programme for poor people - would "rein in unnecessary spending and increase efficiency and the quality of care". |
| The money comes on top of the $635bn down payment on reform detailed in the budget proposal submitted to Congress this year. | The money comes on top of the $635bn down payment on reform detailed in the budget proposal submitted to Congress this year. |
| The US spends more than $2 trillion a year on healthcare, although about 15% of the population have no medical cover. | The US spends more than $2 trillion a year on healthcare, although about 15% of the population have no medical cover. |