The president wants Congress to back the latest version of his US$950bn plan to cover uninsured Americans and lower premiums. He said the proposed reforms had incorporated the best ideas from both the Democrats and the Republicans.

Healthcare has been a priority for Mr Obama but the legislation has been blocked by the Republican minority. Last week, a televised summit hosted by Mr Obama in Washington failed to break the deadlock between the parties.

Mr Obama said he opposed Republican calls to reject comprehensive bills passed by the House of Representatives and Senate last year and begin again with a more step-by-step approach.

Health care legislation is currently stalled in Congress as Senate Democrats no longer have the 60-seat majority required to defeat blocking tactics by Republicans. Both chambers need to pass a unified version of the legislation for the president to sign it into law.

BBC