Obama’s key test in healthcare pitch to Congress

US PRESIDENT Barack Obama, whose approval ratings have taken a hit over heated debates on healthcare reform, will address Congress tonight in an attempt to regain control of one of his top legislative priorities.

The speech is a crucial test for Obama, who also faces a drop in support for the war in Afghanistan as security deteriorates and casualties rise in the eight-year-old conflict.

The address comes after many US legislators were heckled by irate healthinsurance reform opponents in August at public forums on healthcare, dubbed “town hall meetings”.