Talk Radio News Service: News, Politics, Media

John DuBois, University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service

As the debate over the Senate's health care reform bill enters what could be its final stages, President Barack Obama met with Senate Democrats at the White House Tuesday to shore up support for the much fought-over legislation.

“This was a broad based discussion about how we move forward. Whatever differences remain, there is broad consensus around reforms that will finally.....protect every American from the worst practices in the health industry,” said Obama in remarks following the closed-door meeting.

“If we don’t get this done your premiums are gauranteed to go up,” added Obama.

Despite facing challenges from centrist Senators like Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), who recently rejected a proposed compromise that would scrap a public option for the expansion of Medicare eligibility, the president voiced his assurance that the legislation will pass.

“I’m absolutely confident that if the American people know what is in this bill and if the Senate knows what is in this bill, it will pass, because it’s right for America,” said Obama.

The president delivered his remarks accompanied by Senate Democratic leadership, including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), and Chairmen of the Finance and HELP Committees, Max Baucus (D-Mont.) Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) respectively.