President says “...no more bickering…we are close to a goal”

President Barack Obama told Congress on Wednesday “the time for bickering is over” and called for quick action on a comprehensive healthcare overhaul that would dramatically transform the U.S. health system and insurance market.

In a high-stakes speech, Obama said lawmakers were “closer to the goal of reform than we have ever been” and spelled out a series of proposals he said would improve stability for those with insurance and expand the options for those without.

He issued a sharp rebuke to critics of his healthcare drive, accusing them of substituting scare tactics for honest debate.

“I will not waste time with those who have made the calculation that it’s better politics to kill this plan than improve it,“ he told a joint session of Congress and a national television audience. “If you misrepresent what’s in the plan, we will call you out.“

Obama delivered the speech in hopes of rejuvenating his flagging push for an overhaul of the $2.5 trillion healthcare system, which has bogged down in Congress amid a flood of criticism.

He said his overhaul was aimed at cutting healthcare costs, improving care, regulating insurers to help protect consumers and expanding coverage to more than 46 million uninsured Americans.

As promised, he spelled out several concepts he wanted to see included in any final bill passed by Congress, including creation of an insurance exchange where individuals and small businesses could shop for policies.

He also reiterated his support for a government-run insurance plan—the so-called “public option”—that has drawn strong opposition from critics who say it would harm insurance companies and amount to a government takeover of the industry.

But he made it clear the lack of a public option in any final bill would not be a deal-breaker.

“The public option is only a means to that end—and we should remain open to other ideas that accomplish our ultimate goal,“ he said.

Obama said he would prohibit insurers from dropping coverage for sick patients and capping coverage in a year or lifetime, would place a limit on out-of-pocket expenses, and require insurers to cover routine check-ups.

He said individuals would be required to have insurance, but he promised tax credits to individuals who cannot afford it.