Obama in appeal to Congress to back health care overhaul: ‘We need courage’

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Obama in plea for health care: ‘We need courage’

STRONGSVILLE, Ohio — President Barack Obama is delivering a new appeal to Congress on health care — “we need courage.”

Addressing a crowd in Ohio on Monday, Obama was briefly interrupted by a woman who shouted, “We need courage.” He quickly adopted the line and repeated it.

Obama had used his speech to try to reassure seniors that his health care plan will make Medicare stronger.

Obama and congressional Democratic leaders are scrambling to secure the support for his top domestic initiative, with votes possible later this week. They are trying to persuade nervous Democrats to back the legislation. Obama’s Ohio appearance was his third campaign-style event in a week.