Doctors' group backs U.S. House healthcare bill

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The influential American Medical Association on Thursday said it supported passage of the Democratic-written healthcare legislation that the U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on this week.

Dr. J. James Rohack, president of the AMA, said the bill was not perfect but was consistent with the group's principles for healthcare reform in expanding medical coverage to the uninsured. The group urged passage of the healthcare overhaul in the House along with passage of another bill that would prevent deep cuts in payments to physicians under the Medicare program for the elderly.

(Reporting by Donna Smith; Editing by Sandra Maler)