<<Print>>

President Barack Obama has said he intends "to get something done this year" on healthcare reform. In an interview for ABC News ahead of his key speech to Congress, he said he was open to new ideas and would not be "rigid or ideological". Mr Obama said the speech would offer "a lot of clarity about what I think is the best way to move forward". Members of Congress are preparing to fight over the details of the reforms, as they return after the summer recess. The president is expected to speak about the politically divisive option of having a publicly run insurance scheme. When asked if Americans will find out in his speech whether or not he is willing to sign a healthcare reform bill without a public scheme, he said: "Well, I think the country is going to know exactly what I think will solve our healthcare crisis." Mr Obama said the speech will be directed at the American people, as well as members of Congress. "The intent of the speech is to, A, make sure that the American people are clear exactly what it is that we are proposing," Mr Obama said. "And B, to make sure that Democrats and Republicans understand that I'm open to new ideas, that we're not being rigid and ideological about this thing, but we do intend to get something done this year." In the Senate, Finance Committee chairman Max Baucus has drawn up a new compromise proposal. And in the House of Representatives, a prominent Democrat has signalled he will not support any bill that includes a publicly run insurance scheme. Passing a healthcare bill is Mr Obama's top political priority for 2009.