Health News
Former president Clinton offers health care pep talk to Democrats
Nov 10, 2009, 19:00 GMT
Washington - Former US president Bill Clinton made a rare trip to Congress Tuesday to urge Senate Democrats to approve a health care overhaul that failed to be enacted during his own presidency.
Clinton attended a closed-door policy lunch for Democrats on Capitol Hill, adding his voice of support to President Barack Obama's top domestic priority.
After months of wrangling among politicians and voters across the country, the Senate is likely to begin debating its version of health reform legislation next week. The lower House of Representatives passed a rival version over the weekend.
Obama wants the controversial health bill passed by the end of the year. The legislation aims to cut costs and extend coverage to about 30 million Americans who lack insurance, but conservative opponents have slammed the effort as a massive government takeover.
Comprehensive reforms of the US health care system - the most expensive in the world - have been attempted many times in the past four decades. Clinton was at the centre of the last failed effort during the early years of his 1990s administration.
COMMENT
blog comments powered by DisqusLatest Headlines in Health
- 1. US Supreme Court to decide fate of healthcare law
- 2. Obama's health law hangs in balance with skeptical court
- 3. Supreme Court begins hearing on Obama's landmark health law
- 4. China vows to end transplants from executed prisoners
- 5. Nordic walking a simple way to get fit
Older Talkback
