US Republicans Slam Health-Care Reform Bill

A U.S. senator is asking Americans whether a current proposal to overhaul the American health-care system would actually make things better.

Speaking in the weekly Republican address Saturday, Senator Mike Johanns from the state of Nebraska said the proposal could negatively impact "each and every" American.

President Barack Obama, from the majority Democratic Party, is pushing for a bill to be passed by the end of the year.

He says health care costs are spiraling out of control and making it difficult for small businesses to compete. He says too many Americans are not insured or go bankrupt to pay for health care.

Proposals to reform the system are currently under discussion in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Republicans say the proposals are too expensive and will not improve the current system.