Trump says that bipartisan cooperation on healthcare is possible, as Obamacare subsidies inch closer to expiring

Striking an uncharacteristically bipartisan tone, the US president, Donald Trump, said that Republicans and Democrats could work together on healthcare, as insurance premiums look likely to soar in January.

Speaking at last night's Congressional ball, Trump said: "I really believe we can work on healthcare together and come up with something that's going to be much better, much less expensive for the people, less expensive for our nation. But really, most importantly, better and less expensive for the people."

Earlier on Thursday, the Senate rejected competing proposals by Republicans and Democrats to address a looming healthcare crisis, which could leave 24 million Americans vulnerable to significantly higher costs from 1 January, when insurance premiums through the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, are on course to more than double.