Blunt questions government healthcare plan
WASHINGTON, March 7 (UPI) -- U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., said Saturday he is concerned the federal government's proposed healthcare plan could significantly disrupt private coverage.
Blunt, according to a Republican National Committee transcript, said during the weekly GOP address that the healthcare plan being considered in Washington could result in some U.S. workers losing access to healthcare coverage from their employers.
"I'm concerned that if the government steps in it will eventually push out the private healthcare plans that millions of Americans enjoy today," Blunt said. "This could cause your employer to simply stop offering coverage, hoping the government will pick up the slack."
Blunt vowed his party would oppose any healthcare reforms that would bring about that atrophy in options.
"We'll also lead the fight against any proposals that undermine your ability to get the treatment the doctor you choose recommends," he said.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Barack Obama used his weekly radio address to defend his stimulus package and budget in the face of the ongoing economic crisis, The Hill said.
"My administration is committed to doing all that's necessary to address this crisis and lead us to a better day," Obama said. "That's why we're moving forward with an economic agenda that will jump-start job creation, restart lending, relieve responsible homeowners and address the long-term economic challenges of our time."
Sri Lanka says 32 Tamil rebels slain
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, March 7 (UPI) -- At least 32 Tamil rebels have been killed in heavy fighting in northeastern Sri Lanka, military officials said Saturday.
Dozens of members of the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam were also wounded in the clashes Friday in the Mullaittivu coastal area where government troops have cornered the rebel forces, The Daily Telegraph reported.
"The LTTE end game is reaching its final phase," the Defense Ministry said in a statement to reporters, adding that the Tamil Tigers allegedly killed three civilians and seriously injured another as a group of residents who tried to flee rebel areas in six boats.
The Sri Lankan military has said it is hoping to end the Tigers' 36-year insurgency completely by April, the Telegraph said.
7 killed, 5 arrested in Afghan clashes
KABUL, Afghanistan, March 7 (UPI) -- Seven Afghan militants were slain and five suspected militants were arrested Saturday in several U.S.-led coalition operations, officials said.
Officials said a joint force was in Khowst near the Pakistani border carrying out an operation to disrupt a radical network associated with the Taliban when it came under fire from "multiple armed militants," CNN reported.
Coalition officials said the combined force returned the militants' fire, killing four and wounding one, while the wounded man and four other militants were detained, the U.S. broadcaster reported.
No information was provided on the other operations.
Cyclone barrels toward northern Australia
BRISBANE, Australia, March 7 (UPI) -- Two islands off the Queensland coast in Australia were evacuated Saturday night as powerful Cyclone Hamish approached.
The storm, a category 5 cyclone producing winds of more than 180 miles per hour, was expected to pass within 60 miles of the Whitsunday Islands Sunday morning, the Australian Broadcasting Corp. reported. The islands are a large group between Townsville and Mackay and 600 miles north of Brisbane.
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh invoked her power to order evacuations in areas in the cyclone's path.
In the Whitsundays, residents and visitors were taken off South Molle and Long islands. On Hamilton Island, 3,000 people were expected to take refuge in the cyclone-proof Reef View Hotel.
In Mackay, anxious residents left store shelves bare of batteries and other essentials, ABC said.
Hamish is the third cyclone to hit Queensland this season and the largest so far.
