Obama, House Democrats press for health-care votes

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama and House Democrats scrambled yesterday to secure the votes to pass a historic health-care overhaul initiative, working to ease disagreements with rank-and-file lawmakers over abortion and illegal immigrants.

Obama met at the White House with several Hispanic lawmakers who oppose any prohibition on the ability of illegal immigrants to use their own money to purchase health coverage in a new government-run marketplace.

"We made it very clear that 20 votes in the Hispanic caucus" depend on the language in the House bill, said Rep. Nydia M. Velazquez, D-N.Y., head of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.

There is no prohibition in the House bill against illegal immigrants buying insurance in the exchange, but the White House backs such a ban and one exists in the Senate bill.

The $1.2 trillion, 10-year measure would expand coverage to millions of the uninsured. In a major boost, the American Medical Association and the seniors lobby AARP threw their weight behind the bill. AARP, with its 40 million members, promised to run ads and contact activists to gin up support.

Democratic opponents of abortion want stronger provisions written in the bill that no federal money would be used to finance abortion in coverage bought in the government-run exchange.

Democratic leaders were working to negotiate final language on abortion and illegal immigration and nail down the 218 votes they'll need to pass the bill.

"I wouldn't refer to it as a squeaker, but I think it's going to be close," said Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer, D-Md.

A slower timeline in the Senate made the outcome unpredictable. Action in the Senate might not come until next year, and legislation passed by the two chambers would have to be reconciled before a bill could go to Obama.

What's in the House bill:

It would cover 96 percent of Americans, providing government subsidies beginning in 2013 to extend coverage to millions who now lack it. Self-employed people and small businesses could buy coverage through the new exchanges, either from a private insurer or a new government plan that would compete.

For the first time, almost all individuals would be required to purchase insurance or pay a fine, and employers would be required to insure employees. Insurance companies would be barred from denying coverage to people with pre-existing medical conditions or charging much higher rates to older people.