Democratic leaders were hopeful they could pass the bill, giving Obama his biggest victory since last November's historic election. Obama made a rare Saturday visit to Capitol Hill to meet with House Democrats in an effort to cement a majority to pass the legislation that is his top domestic priority.
The bill would provide health coverage to tens of millions of Americans who don't have it now, require most employers to offer it to their workers and prohibit insurance companies from denying coverage based on a person's medical history.
"The status quo is unaffordable and unsustainable. Health care reform benefits all of us," said Democratic Rep. Allyson Schwartz of Pennsylvania, as debate opened on the House floor.
Republicans were united in their opposition to the bill, using procedural delays to slow the debate.
"The American people need to understand this is about a government takeover of the whole health care system," said Rep. Paul Broun of Georgia.
The most contentious issue in the 10-year, $1.2 trillion House bill is a new government-run insurance plan that would be offered alongside private coverage within new purchasing marketplaces, or "exchanges," where individuals and small businesses could shop for and compare options.
Late Friday, House Democrats cleared an abortion-related impasse that had threatened efforts to line up the support from some moderate Democrats needed to pass the legislation. Anti-abortion lawmakers won a chance to knock out language that would let people who get federal subsidies buy insurance plans that include abortion coverage.
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