Obama argues for healthcare reform

US President, Barack Obama, alternatively courted and blasted Republicans who have impeded his health care plan, at a summit with Republican and Democratic lawmakers. It was aimed at breaking a partisan deadlock over his top domestic priority.

In an unprecedented day-long policy debate, Obama hoped to revive his stalled plans to overhaul the US healthcare system.

He wants to make coverage more affordable, and extend it to tens of millions of uninsured Americans.

Furthermore, the US president says it's "absolutely critical" to a sustained economic recovery.

US President Barack Obama said, "We all know this is urgent. And unfortunately over the course of the year, despite all the hearings that took place and all the negotiations that took place and people on both sides of the aisle worked long and hard on this issue, this became a very ideological battle. It became a very partisan battle and politics, I think, ended up trumping practical common sense."

But the Republicans say the plan gave Washington too much power over the healthcare system. They want the president to drop his plans, and start over with smaller steps.

Republicans senator Jon Kyl said, "It's just a fundamental disagreement between us. Does Washington know best about the coverage people should have or should people have that choice, themselves? Pay a little less, get a little less coverage or pay a little more and get a little more coverage..."

Polls show, Americans want their leaders to address high medical costs that erode access to coverage and quality healthcare.

But the public is also split over the Democrats' sweeping legislation. Some provisions wouldn't take effect for another 8 years well after Obama's tenure ends.