Obama cracks whip on health

United States President Barack Obama pressed Senate Democrats to deliver on their party's half-century quest to expand the social safety net by providing healthcare for all.

At the Capitol during a session of the Senate, Obama delivered a closed-door pep talk to the fractious Democratic caucus that lasted about 45 minutes.

Deep divisions remain over abortion coverage, but there was hope for compromise on whether the Government should directly offer health insurance in competition with private companies.