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Do you support Obama's healthcare reforms?

The US House of Representatives has backed a bill aimed at reforming the country's healthcare system, in a move President Obama described as "historic". How important a step do you think it is?

The bill - a central plank of Mr Obama's domestic agenda - aims to extend coverage to 36 million more Americans and provide affordable healthcare to 96% of the population.

The debate sparked strong emotions on both sides, with one Republican representative, Candice Miller, saying it would result in "a complete government takeover of our healthcare system faster than you can say 'this is making me sick'".

The Senate must now pass its own bill and the two must then be reconciled before the programme can become law.

How significant a move is this for Americans? Do you support or oppose the healthcare reforms? Will you be affected?

Read the full story

Read more of your views on US healthcare

Published: Sunday, 8 November, 2009, 10:28 GMT 10:28 UK

All comments as they come in

Added: Tuesday, 10 November, 2009, 10:11 GMT 10:11 UK

One poster suggests that the Bill is not 'wise, affordable or workable'. I must ask is it morally wise to deny millions of Americans access to good healthcare? Any thinking person must support a Bill which allows healthcare for everybody.

patricia leiper

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Added: Tuesday, 10 November, 2009, 09:25 GMT 09:25 UK

Redistribution of wealth is a forceful transfer of income. This will kill the huge voluntary transfer of wealth that occurs through charitable giving that the merciful free have done so well in the U.S.
Grateful Free, Austin, Texas

There is no evidence I know of to show that providing affordable healthcare reduces charitable donations. But money raised by charity can never be enough to

Anne Murray, Chester

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Added: Tuesday, 10 November, 2009, 09:18 GMT 09:18 UK

Of course I DO NOT support the health plan. Of course they didn't ask the American public. It's just like everything else he's done. Doesn't matter what we the people think,. He's gotten a big head since getting into office and I believe we are in a lot of trouble.

Debbie, Rome


You are definitely in not so much trouble as you were under Bush, and having a free and accessible health care system Debbie, is a basci human right and you should support him in this all the way.

Samantha, Cambridge

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Added: Tuesday, 10 November, 2009, 08:20 GMT 08:20 UK

The fact is 37 million people have no health care coverage.

Dave Adams, Chicago

Some by choice (prefer to spend their money on other things, foolish but their choice); some because they haven't needed to register for their entitlements as they enjoy good health now; some because they shouldn't be entitled (why should US taxpayers pay for illegal aliens' healthcare?); and about 9m who fall through the gaps.

There are better ways to help only 9m.

[MarkGE], Witney, United Kingdom

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Added: Tuesday, 10 November, 2009, 07:55 GMT 07:55 UK

If Obama´s Healthcare reforms can guarantee that everyone who needs medical care gets it - or at least it works in that direction, then it has to be supported on moral grounds.

Rita Kleppmann, Essingen (Germany)

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Added: Tuesday, 10 November, 2009, 07:17 GMT 07:17 UK

Its not perfect but its better than what we have now, the us health care system is a molith of red tape overcharging and no hope in sight. gie the people hope. When we put it into action and find out what doesnt work we fix it but we need to do something and we need to do it fast.

Bryant Woodworth, Coeur d'Alene, United States

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Added: Tuesday, 10 November, 2009, 05:40 GMT 05:40 UK

Great. Now we will have the same wonderful health care as that enjoyed in the U.K. At least people will die earlier so the pension and social security funds will be more solvent.
Magnolia

Your ignorance beggars belief. FYI Magnolia- people in UK live longer and enjoy far superior community care than in US. Actually the US ranks way down the scale and below many third world countries for quality of care and longevity- check out the world stats. The US does come 1st in one thing only- COST!

Les H, US/UK

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Added: Tuesday, 10 November, 2009, 05:14 GMT 05:14 UK

Can't say I see much of a difference between the Insurance companies (read: very powerful corporate lobby) and the Government deciding whether or not I am covered for this or that procedure, operation, etc., which doctor I may or may not use, and even more specifically, the difference between the two period.

[iwontdrinkthewater]

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Added: Tuesday, 10 November, 2009, 04:12 GMT 04:12 UK

I do not support the healthcare reform which is being pushed unmercifully by Obama and his buddies. This has the potential to destroy what is left of my country - both physically and financially. The socialist bent my country is on is frightening and eventually we are indeed going to run out of "everyone else's money" This health care reform bill is not affordable, wise or workable. Obama is a disgrace and I am fed up. And yes - I can say this - I am an American.

judythe burkinshaw, mechanicville, United States

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Added: Tuesday, 10 November, 2009, 04:00 GMT 04:00 UK

After reading the negative comments from some American contributers it would appear that there is a big need for mental treatment in that country. They don't seem to be aware that they are being abused. On the other hand these messages may not be bona fide but are quite probably inserted by paid agents of the medical insurance industry.

JAMES SANJANA, KINCARDINE, Canada

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Added: Tuesday, 10 November, 2009, 03:57 GMT 03:57 UK

I think the emphasis should be on social reform whereby the state provides more for those that depend on uninsured/unaffordable health care.
The present system, I believe, promotes the standard of health care very well...State run systems too readily puts the "system" before the patient and the doctor. The level of accountability is another consideration.

[yuleaka]

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Added: Tuesday, 10 November, 2009, 03:48 GMT 03:48 UK

The British system calls for all working people to pay 4.85% of their wages to National Insurance. This is added to by another 11% from the employer.This covers everyone, working or not, from birth to death by full benefits and a superb quality of treatment, all done at half the price we pay for partial coverage of only most of our people. How do they do it? No insurance companies and strict regulation of the medical system, the suppliers and the drug companies. I have 20 years experience of it.

Peter Dewsnap

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Added: Tuesday, 10 November, 2009, 03:44 GMT 03:44 UK

The government will be mandating that everyone must buy health insurance with up to 5 years in jail for offenders. Illegals will still get free healthcare and Congress, of course, has exempted themselves from this plan. The plan won't be implemented for 5 years although we will start paying for it immediately. Do you believe that Obama and the Democrats really think this will result in a more affordable health care system?

armand Rodriguez, Norcross, United States

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Added: Tuesday, 10 November, 2009, 03:33 GMT 03:33 UK

Bad argument. Yes, guns are allowed under the constitution, but no where does it say healthcare is not. Where is my "free," government-provided gun to go along with this "free," government-provided healthcare? That's right, I can get a gun only if I can afford one.

Mark

hmmm, our govt DOES work...better than I had thought.

David Stevenson, Kansas City, United States

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Added: Tuesday, 10 November, 2009, 03:00 GMT 03:00 UK

After 65, the oldies have NO CHOICE and still pay for it out of Social Security payments. Some of us would like a choice and private insurance is more responsive in my experience to the patient and the doctor.

Penny, USA

Highways, waterworks/plumbing, libraries, trains, schools,

are all socialist plots according to some people.....

Modernity must be a communist plot.:)

David Stevenson, Kansas City, United States

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DEBATE STATUS

Total comments:
746
Published comments:
701
Rejected comments:
45
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