Pelosi unveils US healthcare bill
Published:Friday | October 30, 2009 | 9:07 AM
The Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, has unveiled a healthcare bill that will extend coverage to 36 million more Americans.
The top House Democrat said the legislation will provide affordable healthcare to 96 per cent of all Americans.
It is also expected to allow the government to sell insurance in competition with private companies and make insurers offer cover to those with pre-existing conditions.
The bill is the latest step in a long-running battle over healthcare reform.
US President Barack Obama has made reform of the healthcare system a central plank of his domestic agenda.