The change in military strategy was described by British officials as a "difficult and high risk" operation.

CNN: British troops in southern Iraq.

"We are happy that this high-risk operation was successful, " said Claudio Saenz, a fire department official with knowledge of the rescue efforts.

CNN: Peru: Nine miners rescued after six days underground

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, high risk-pools are currently in operation in 34 states and, in aggregate, cover approximately 200, 000 individuals.

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