Obama releases new health care plan

U.S. President Barack Obama has released a modified version of his controversial health care reform bill. It's an attempt to save the legislation that's been stuck in Congress, since the Democratic Party lost its absolute majority in the Senate.

The White house says the proposal incorporates work done by the House and the Senate, and adds ideas from Republican Congressmen. They include establishing a comprehensive Medicare and Medicaid database, and using technology for real-time data review. The proposal aims to put American families and small business owners in control of their own health care, by offering one of the largest middle class tax cuts in history. It will cover 31 million Americans who are currently uninsured.

The Obama administration says the proposal will also establish a competitive health insurance market that can offer Americans more options. Although, the revised plan doesn't include the public option that Obama's initial proposal had.

U.S. President Barack Obama speaks at a meeting with state governors in  the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, February 22, 2010. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)