Obama defends healthcare reforms

President Barack Obama has defended his plans for health reform.



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.



The president has made passing a healthcare reform bill the top priority of his first year in the White House.



Five congressional committees are currently working on healthcare bills, and although there is consensus on some aspects of reform, lawmakers are divided on whether to set up a public health insurance scheme for Americans without employer-sponsored coverage.



There is also much disagreement about how to raise revenue to fund the proposed expansion of healthcare coverage.



Mr Obama has called on both chambers of Congress to pass healthcare reform bills by the end of the first week in August, so he will be in a position to sign a final, combined, bill in October.