Obama urges healthcare reform

With a fresh sense of urgency, US President Barack Obama has made another push to Congress to get his health care reform plan passed. After a full year of debate, Obama traveled to Ohio Monday to deliver an emotional closing argument.

US President Barack Obama speaks on healthcare insurance reform in Strongsville, Ohio. Obama has pleaded with lawmakers to pass his health reform bill, relating the heart-rending plight of a cancer victim at the 11th hour of a bitter debate.(AFP/Saul Loeb)

US President Barack Obama said, "I'm here because of the countless others who have been forced to face the most terrifying challenges in their lives with the added burden of medical bills they can't pay. I don't think that's right. Neither do you. That's why we need health insurance right now. Health insurance reform right now."

The president insists despite the massive cost of his proposal, the plan would actually lower overall health insurance costs by eliminating waste and subsidies. He says his plan would also prevent insurance companies from dropping patients with pre-existing conditions and cover tens of millions of Americans who currently don't have coverage. But the president's plan faces widespread opposition by Republicans who say the plan is too costly and unpopular. Even some Democrats, particularly those in conservative districts, are reluctant to stand behind it. A final vote could take place in the House of Representatives as early as Thursday. If it passes, a vote in the Senate would follow within days.