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Obama in 11th-hour US health plea Obama in 11th-hour US health plea
(40 minutes later)
US President Barack Obama has made a last-minute plea in person to Democrat lawmakers ahead of a crucial vote on his landmark healthcare reforms. US President Barack Obama has launched a last-minute effort to secure approval of his landmark healthcare reforms by the House of Representatives.
Mr Obama needs 218 supporters in the House of Representatives vote, which may come as early as Saturday. Mr Obama made a rare visit to Congress to try to persuade wavering members of his own Democratic Party.
After meeting key members, he said now was "the time to finish the job". Later he urged them to "finish the job" and "answer the call of history".
The bill will extend coverage to 36m more Americans and provide affordable healthcare to 96%, supporters say. All House Republicans are opposed to it.The bill will extend coverage to 36m more Americans and provide affordable healthcare to 96%, supporters say. All House Republicans are opposed to it.
If the bill passes, the next step will be to reconcile it with a separate Senate bill.If the bill passes, the next step will be to reconcile it with a separate Senate bill.
'Confidence' Public option
President Obama has made reform of the healthcare system a central plank of his domestic agenda.President Obama has made reform of the healthcare system a central plank of his domestic agenda.
After the meeting, House speaker Nancy Pelosi said she was confident of a Democrat win.
She predicted: "We will pass health care reform."
A White House official said Mr Obama told House Democrats during a hour-long private meeting that this was a historic opportunity to change the US health care system, the Associated Press reported.
The House debate opened on Saturday with Democrats who support it saying it is needed morally, socially and economically.
HEALTHCARE IN THE US 47 million uninsured, 25 million under-insuredHealthcare costs represent 16% of GDP, almost twice OECD average Q&A: US healthcare reformHEALTHCARE IN THE US 47 million uninsured, 25 million under-insuredHealthcare costs represent 16% of GDP, almost twice OECD average Q&A: US healthcare reform
After private talks with lawmakers on Saturday, he said such opportunities came around "maybe once in a generation".
He added: "Even when it's hard - especially when it's hard. This is our moment to deliver.
"I urge members of Congress to rise to this moment - answer the call of history and vote 'yes' for health insurance reform for America."
There are a total of 258 Democrats in the House, but many have not committed to support the reforms.
Mr Obama needs 218 votes - more than half the 435 House seats. The New York Times said he had secured 205 votes by Friday evening and was negotiating for the other 13.
After meeting the president, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she was confident of a win.
The House debate opened on Saturday with Democrats who support it saying it was needed morally, socially and economically.
Its mainly Republican opponents say the bill is over-ambitious, creates too much government control and could be hugely damaging to the economy.Its mainly Republican opponents say the bill is over-ambitious, creates too much government control and could be hugely damaging to the economy.
Delays?
The bill would allow the government to sell insurance in competition with private companies and make insurers offer cover to those with pre-existing conditions.The bill would allow the government to sell insurance in competition with private companies and make insurers offer cover to those with pre-existing conditions.
But this so-called "public option" has been scaled back in the wrangling that preceded the House vote.But this so-called "public option" has been scaled back in the wrangling that preceded the House vote.
Mr Obama was reportedly wooing wavering legislators by phone on Friday and scheduled personal meetings for Saturday morning.
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said: "The sales pitch is simply that we're on the cusp of the type of healthcare reform that this country has been talking about for decades.
"Do this for the country. Do this for your constituents."
'Confident'
The Democrats have reportedly offered concessions to anti-abortion legislators to allow a vote on an amendment on whether to allow public funding for abortion programmes.The Democrats have reportedly offered concessions to anti-abortion legislators to allow a vote on an amendment on whether to allow public funding for abortion programmes.
The debate has brought protests on both sides
The Washington Post predicted the anti-abortion lobby would now win that amendment vote and anger abortion rights supporters within the Democratic Party.The Washington Post predicted the anti-abortion lobby would now win that amendment vote and anger abortion rights supporters within the Democratic Party.
House Democratic leader Steny Hoyer told MSNBC: "We're confident we're going to have the votes later today. Mississippi's Republican Governor Haley Barbour said the bill should be "withdrawn and reworked" in favour of a more modest programme.
"There some disagreement on some issues but there's universal commitment to passing a healthcare reform bill."
But Mississippi's Republican Governor Haley Barbour said the bill should be "withdrawn and reworked" in favour of a more modest programme.
Although the House vote could come on Saturday, Mr Hoyer said it could be delayed to Sunday or even as late as Tuesday.Although the House vote could come on Saturday, Mr Hoyer said it could be delayed to Sunday or even as late as Tuesday.
The New York Times said Mr Obama had secured 205 votes by Friday evening and was negotiating for the 13 more.
Once both the House and Senate have approved their own versions, a conference committee, made up of lawmakers from both houses, will convene to reconcile the two.Once both the House and Senate have approved their own versions, a conference committee, made up of lawmakers from both houses, will convene to reconcile the two.
If both chambers then vote in favour of the reconciled version, it will be sent to Mr Obama for his approval, and become law.If both chambers then vote in favour of the reconciled version, it will be sent to Mr Obama for his approval, and become law.
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