Obama: Congress must act before August recess on health care overhaul

September 12th, 2009 Obama to attend health care rallyWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is traveling to Minneapolis for a rally on health care reform. Minnesota is an example of where Obama wants the rest of the country to go on health care.

September 8th, 2009 Key Dem moderate turns against public planWASHINGTON — A leader of a pivotal group of moderate House Democrats says he can no longer support a new public insurance plan in a health overhaul bill. Rep. Mike Ross of Arkansas made the announcement Tuesday as members of Congress returned from Washington after their August recess.

September 2nd, 2009 Correction: Health Care OverhaulWASHINGTON — In an Oct. 1 story about health care overhaul, The Associated Press reported erroneously that President Barack Obama repeatedly pledged last year that his health care plan would not raise taxes on any individual making more than $200,000 or a family with incomes over $250,000.

September 2nd, 2009 Obama to deliver health care address to CongressWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama will deliver a major prime-time address to Congress next week on his plans to overhaul the nation's health care system, opening an urgent autumn push to gain control of the debate that has been slipping from his grasp under withering Republican-led attacks. Scheduling of the speech next Wednesday night, just a day after lawmakers return from their August recess, underscores the determination of the White House to confront critics of Obama's overhaul and to buck up supporters who have been thrown on the defensive.

August 16th, 2009 Obama confident health care overhaul coming soonWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says he's confident his drive to overhaul health care will succeed. The president writes in Sunday's New York Times about "health insurance reform" and says his attempt to overhaul the system is closer to reality "than we have ever been." Obama cites support from the American Nurses Association, the powerful American Medical Association and the AARP for big changes.

July 23rd, 2009 Obama: Lots of agreement on health overhaulWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says lawmakers and he are in general agreement on important parts of a potential health care overhaul. Obama planned to say Wednesday night that the proposals would add stability to existing plans.

July 23rd, 2009 Obama open to finance plans for health careWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says he is open to the proposals emerging in Congress to pay for health care overhaul. At a prime-time news conference Wednesday, Obama said few lawmakers had embraced his proposal to limit itemized deductions for the wealthiest Americans.

July 19th, 2009 Budget chief sees progress in health care overhaulWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama's budget director is playing down reports that lawmakers are bogged down over the health care overhaul. Peter Orszag says good progress is being made toward Obama's goal of a bill in August.

July 16th, 2009 Obama says health costs will rise without actionHOLMDEL, N.J. — President Barack Obama says he wants a health care overhaul this year and that costs will continue to rise without action.

July 15th, 2009 Obama stepping up push for health care overhaulWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama has scheduled an appearance in the White House Rose Garden today to talk about his top domestic priority: health care reform. The president wants the House and Senate to pass legislation overhauling the nation's health care system before lawmakers leave town for their annual August recess.

July 12th, 2009 Lawmakers say health overhaul has been slowedWASHINGTON — Top members of Congress say it's unlikely they will meet President Barack Obama's August deadline for a sweeping health care overhaul. Lawmakers on Sunday said they will not rush on a health care overhaul that isn't even in final form yet.

July 12th, 2009 Sebelius: All options on table for health planWASHINGTON — Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius says the administration wants a health care overhaul this year but is still leaving the details to Congress. Sebelius said on Sunday that a health care overhaul "needs to be owned by the House and the Senate" and won't be dictated by President Barack Obama.

July 10th, 2009 Obama to Congress: Health care legislation by Aug.L'AQUILA, Italy — Despite snags in Congress, President Barack Obama says his administration is closer to achieving health care reform than at any time in recent history. He says he hopes Congress will pass health care legislation by the August recess but "nothing is do or die." Obama says he is making health care his "highest legislative priority".

June 28th, 2009 Obama adviser: No ultimatums on health careWASHINGTON — Presidential adviser David Axelrod on Sunday said the White House hasn't issued ultimatums over its proposed health care overhaul because that approach kills grand ideas. Axelrod said the White House has made progress on a health care plan and is working with Congress.

June 2nd, 2009 Obama: Health overhaul necessaryWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says changes to the nation's health systems are necessary and the window for overhaul will close when Congress breaks for summer vacation. Obama met with lawmakers Tuesday at the White House.