Democrats are turning up the heat on health care reform. They're lining up the votes they'll need to pass the plan. As the vote gets closer activists on both sides of the issue are crowding the capitol, hoping lawmakers see their point of view.
President Obama is making calls and holding private meetings with his fellow Democrats.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi invited women lawmakers to her office for a conversation as she rallies support.
She managed to pick up at least one vote this morning from a lawmaker who had been on the fence.
They got more support early Wednesday from doctors, nurses and a non-profit group.
"Legislation that would cover 94 percent of legal residents is a big deal. We're talking about real lives, real health and real people," said Frederick Turton of the American College of Physicians.
Activists on both sides of the issue have flooded Capitol Hill with calls, e-mails, even in-person visits. But their lobbying time is running out. Congress is set to vote on the bill by the end of this week.
Democrats still don't have enough votes to assure a win. Republicans want to keep it that way.
The GOP is crying foul over a complex legislative move that the Democrats are thinking about using. It would allow lawmakers to push through a reform bill without directly voting on the current plan.
Democrats argue their opponents are trying to shift the focus to the process instead of what's actually in the bill. They predict they'll have the votes to pass the reform plan before the President leaves for Asia, on Sunday.
