US President Barack Obama has called for "courage" from Democratic lawmakers unnerved by looming final votes on his historic health care plan in a pivotal political week that may shape his presidency.

House Democrats wary of the Senate health care bill find themselves in a quandary.

Democratic congressional leaders showed signs of progress Monday in winning anti-abortion Democrats whose votes are pivotal to President Barack Obama's fiercely contested remake of the health care system.

The yearlong fight over health care reached a fever pitch Monday as President Obama took his call for change to the political swing state of Ohio, slamming insurance companies and repeating his call for a final congressional vote on his sweeping reform plan.

Community programs provide low-cost health coverage of small businesses.

House Democrats pressed ahead with their health care overhaul Monday, getting approval from a key House panel for a companion "fixes" bill. But new concerns over immigration, legislative maneuvering and student loans emerged.

WASHINGTON — As the battle over health care legislation built Monday toward a weekend crescendo, congressional Democrats considered trying to pass the controversial Senate version without voting for it, a tactic that Republicans and independent analysts warned could be politically treacherous and perhaps unconstitutional.

It took lawmakers a year to shape President Barack Obama's health care bill. If it finally passes Congress, it'll take the better part of a decade to write the user manual for consumers and doctors, employers and insurance companies.