Beatty said he feared that many of his concerns would be ignored, such as universal medical cover, action against exploitation of workers, rebuilding the school system and raising teachers' pay.

BBC: Beatty rules out run for presidency

As labour minister from 1997-2000, she implemented the 35-hour week - known in France as the "Aubry Law" - and universal sickness cover, as well as overseeing an important youth employment scheme.

BBC: Profile: French Socialist primary contenders

The conceit was that a universal reform would cover everyone and all but pay for itself by reorganizing the state's health-care finances.

WSJ: Review & Outlook: Obama's Running Mate

The announcement promises deploying large numbers of health workers to cover more and more children under the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP), one of the world's largest immunisation programmes, covering some 26 million children born each year.

BBC: India's battle to finish off polio

Mr Obama promises subsidies to make coverage nearly universal and to tax big firms that don't cover their employees.

ECONOMIST: Business-minded voters have doubts about both candidates

The Baucus bill forces them to cover everyone but does not have enough carrots or sticks to enforce universal coverage.

ECONOMIST: Health reform takes a step forward