This Article is From Aug 19, 2009

Healthcare hits Obama's ratings

Healthcare hits Obama's ratings
Washington:

Worrying about the health of his nation has hit US President Barack Obama's popularity hard; his ratings have fallen by almost half because his big election promise to make healthcare more affordable has got stuck in bitter politics.

There are so many vested interests in the American health system as billions of profits are made, so Obama is finding change is difficult.

There is anger against US President Barack Obama, scenes similar to town hall meetings were held across America in recent weeks on the most contentious issue at this time - healthcare reform.

This was Mr Obama's big poll promise to overhaul a healthcare system that essentially helps those who can afford to have insurance but it's turning out to be his toughest political challenge.

In the biggest shake-up of its kind in US history, Mr Obama wants to provide for the millions of Americans not covered by any insurance if they fall ill.

But the opposition says that's too expensive and say that tough decisions would then be taken as to who could and should live.

"Nearly 46 million Americans don't have health insurance coverage today. In the wealthiest nation on Earth, 46 million of our fellow citizens have no coverage. They are just vulnerable. If something happens, they go bankrupt, or they don't get the care they need," said Barack Obama, US President.

But the debate has turned increasingly noisy and partisan and Obama's ratings have fallen dramatically.

His average approval rating in major polls is now 50.9 per cent, down from the massive 84 per cent approval rating in January.

Across the Atlantic in Britain Prime Minister Gordon Brown is under attack for his country's National Health Service or the NHS which was set up to provide for all.

The increasing criticism forced Gordon Brown to respond on Twitter where he said:

"NHS often makes a difference between pain and comfort, despair and hope, life and death. Thanks for always being there."

For both leaders, healthcare is the biggest domestic debate at this time.

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