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Obama may soften healthcare plan

Published:Monday | August 17, 2009 | 6:05 PM

US President Barack Obama\'s administration has hinted that its healthcare reforms may be diluted, amid pressure from opponents.



Mr Obama has been pressing for a government-run scheme to extend healthcare insurance to some 46 million people in the United States.



Health Secretary Kathleen Sebelius says this has never been Mr Obama\'s top priority.



She says he may accept the idea of non-profit insurance co-operatives.



White House spokesman Robert Gibbs says the Obama administration will consider an alternative proposal of consumer-owned, non-profit co-operatives that will sell insurance in competition with private industry.



The proposal is reportedly being fine-tuned in the Senate Finance Committee