US President Barack Obama has made a major address to Congress outlining his plan to overhaul the country's healthcare system.
The speech was not the final word on a healthcare reform plan, versions of which are being considered in the House of Representatives and Senate, and it must pass both chambers before Mr Obama can sign it into law.
President Obama was vague on key details, including how the overhaul would be paid for.
Under the proposals, the government would offer a public insurance option to compete with private insurers and cover 46m uninsured US citizens.
Mr Obama said the plan would not add to the US budget deficit, but did not offer many specifics on how it would be financed.
He said it would be paid for by 'eliminating hundreds of billions of dollars in waste and fraud', as well as subsidies in Medicare that go to insurance companies.
The rest of the cost would be covered by revenues from drug and insurance companies, Mr Obama said, and the plan would charge insurance companies an unspecified fee for their most expensive policies.
The plan proposes a not-for-profit government-run healthcare insurance program to be part of new 'insurance exchange' and compete with private insurers.
The public option, which has been strongly resisted by insurance companies, would be available only to those without insurance.
Mr Obama said less than 5% of Americans would sign up for it, based on Congressional Budget Office estimates.
The public option would not be taxpayer subsidised and would have to be self-sufficient and rely on premiums it collects.
The plan would make it illegal for insurance companies to deny healthcare coverage because a customer has a pre-existing condition or to drop or water down coverage to those who get sick.
Insurance companies would also be barred from placing annual or lifetime caps on coverage.
It would also limit how much US citizens could be charged for out-of-pocket expenses and require insurance companies to cover, at no extra charge, routine check-ups and preventive care like mammograms and colonoscopies.
However, the plan would also greatly expand insurance companies' customer base by requiring individuals to carry basic health insurance.
It would also require that businesses offer workers healthcare, or chip in to cover the cost for their workers.
