Obama in final push for health reform

PRESIDENT Barack Obama was expected to tell the nation in a prime-time address precisely how he wants to expand healthcare, pitching a fresh argument – but, to liberal disappointment, no demand – for a government-run insurance option.

Opening a final push for his top domestic priority, Obama pushed for a healthcare overhaul that provides new and crucial protections for people who already have insurance, affordable access to coverage to those without, and reduced spending for families, businesses and government.

“We do intend to get something done this year,” Obama said on ABC’s Good Morning America yesterday. Even as he prepared to speak earlier this morning, the leader of the influential Senate Finance Committee raced to broker an overhaul proposal with both Democratic and Republican input.