US TV 'focused on health anger'

[go west young man]

Source: BBC

US President Barack Obama has accused the media of focusing on healthcare forums only when "tempers flare".

"What you haven't seen on TV and what makes me proud are the many constructive meetings going on all over the country," he said.

Speaking at a town hall meeting in Montana, Mr Obama called on Americans who have insurance to support reform.

Extending coverage to the millions of Americans who lack health insurance is Mr Obama's top priority for 2009.

In recent days, a number of healthcare "town-hall" meetings hosted by US lawmakers have been targeted by conservative opponents of reform.

The opposition has sometimes been quite vocal, with anti-reform campaigners chanting slogans and shouting down supporters of reform.

Ruckus

"I know there's been a lot of attention paid to some of the town hall meetings that are going on around the country, especially when tempers flare," said Mr Obama.

"TV loves a ruckus."

Democrats in the House of Representatives have reportedly reached a deal on a bill that would mandate all Americans to take out health insurance, with subsidies for the less well-off paid for by a tax on families earning over $350,000 a year.

The House bill would also offer Americans who do not get coverage through their employer the chance to join a publicly-run scheme.

But in the Senate negotiations have stalled, with moderate senators expressing opposition to both the tax and the public plan proposed by the House.


Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8202631.stm

[Heidi]

1. Recommended.

:kick:

[fasttense]

2. If TV loves a ruckus so much, how come they rarely reported on the anti-bush protesters?

TV likes a Republicon ruckus. They report on the to almost complete exclusion. Let a Republicon get a hangnail and the media is all over it. Let A Democrat open their mouth and they get labeled a fascist.