House Starts Debate on Health Bill

President Barack Obama made a final appeal to House Democrats to vote for a health-care bill, saying "Now is the time to finish the job."

The president visited the Capitol on Saturday after the House opened debate on the sweeping legislation. Democratic leaders earlier Saturday agreed to allow a vote on an amendment from antiabortion Democrats, breaking a stalemate over abortion that was threatening the bill's prospects.

The House voted 242-192 in favor of a procedural rule that set the parameters for the final debate on the issue, which began Saturday afternoon. A voted was scheduled for Saturday evening. All Republicans and a few Democrats opposed the procedural measure.

If the House approves the bill, it would be the first time a chamber of Congress has passed legislation aimed at guaranteeing near-universal access to health care.

According to an aide, the president told the closed-door meeting of lawmakers; "It's tempting to say, 'I'm tired, it's hard, I'm getting beat up back in the district, it's just not worth it.' " But he called on them to reject that view, saying Democrats would be seen as failures if they don't pass the measure.

"I am absolutely confident that when I sign this bill in the Rose Garden, each and every one of you will be able to look back and say, 'This was my finest moment in politics,' " the president was quoted as saying.

Later, the president spoke at the White House and reiterated his support, touting endorsements by consumer and other groups.

"This is our moment to live up to the trust that the American people have placed in us," Mr. Obama said. "Even when it's hard. Especially when it's hard."

The $1.055 trillion bill would extend insurance coverage to 96% of nonelderly Americans, setting up exchanges where they could choose between private plans and a government-run insurance option. Funding would come in part from a new surtax on wealthy Americans. If the House passes a bill, it will still have to be reconciled with a bill still pending in the Senate.

A final vote on the health measure could come late Saturday or early Sunday morning. House Democratic leaders were still scrambling to come up with the 218 votes needed to pass the bill.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Democrats are in a "position to win today."

As the debate opened Saturday, Republicans denounced the bill as a government takeover of the health-care system. Rep. Joe Wilson (R., S.C.) noted that unemployment rate has topped 10% and accused Democrats of "misplaced priorities" with a "job-killing health-care takeover."

Abortion has divided Democrats, with antiabortion lawmakers saying they couldn't allow any federal funding of abortion under the new health-insurance exchanges the bill would establish.

Rep. Bart Stupak, an antiabortion Democrat from Michigan, explained his amendment before the House Rules Committee just after midnight Saturday. He said it provides that federal subsidies cannot be used to purchase a health plan including coverage for abortions other than in cases of rape or incest.