Obama prods House to pass health care bill

By PHILIP ELLIOTT

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says now is the time for Congress to "answer the call of history" and approve legislation revamping the country's health care system.

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President Barack Obama waves as he walks out of the Cannon Caucus Room with Majority Whip James Clyburn, D-S.C., left, after meeting with House Democrats about health care on Capitol Hill in Washington, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

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President Barack Obama walks with Senior Adviser David Axelrod, left, Reggie Love, personal aide, center, and Phil Schiliro, legislative affairs director, right, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009, as they return to the White House from Capitol Hill. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)

Enlarge photo

President Barack Obama walks out of the Cannon Caucus Room with Majority Whip James Clyburn, D-S.C., left, after meeting with House democrats about health care on Capitol Hill in Washington, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

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After meeting for nearly an hour with House Democrats, Obama went to the White House Rose Garden and said opportunities like passing a major health overhaul "come around maybe once in a generation."

The president made his remarks as the House was debating a bill reshaping the nation's health care system in a vote that was expected to be close.

He said the bill was the kind of change the country needs. He said lawmakers should repay the trust the voters placed in them, "even when it's hard. Especially when it's hard."

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November 07, 2009 09:05 PM EST

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