Obama makes final pitch on eve of historic vote

US President Barack Obama looked to energise his Democratic allies with an in-person appeal for his historic health care overhaul yesterday, the eve of a cliffhanger vote on the sweeping legislation.

Obama's 11th-hour appeal on behalf of the bill, which would bring the world's richest country closer than ever to guaranteeing health coverage to all of its citizens, came as Democrats claimed momentum and predicted victory.

But pockets of protesters against the measure were waving 'Kill the Bill' signs in the sunshine outside the Capitol, while House Republicans inside appealed for help in their last-ditch fight to thwart the measure.

"Republicans can't beat this bill, but the American people can. It's not too late to make your voice heard," House Minority Leader John Boehner said. "The only responsible course of action is to scrap this health care bill."

Despite Democratic shows of optimism, it was not yet clear whether they had the 216 votes needed to ensure passage in a ballot expected today after months of setbacks, bitter partisanship, and legislative logjams.

Obama, who has staked his presidential legacy on the overhaul, sounded a triumphant note last Friday, rekindling the spirit of change that powered his euphoric 2008 election campaign but has been dimmed by the slog of government.

"Right now, we are at the point where we are going to do something historic this weekend," Obama told a rally in northern Virginia billed as a rousing climax to his plan to offer health care to 32 million uninsured Americans.

"In just a few days, a century-long struggle will culminate in a historic vote," Obama said, as 8,500 supporters chanted his campaign theme 'Yes We Can' in a sports arena.

The president had held 64 meetings or telephone calls with wavering lawmakers as of late Friday, the White House said.

"I'm very excited about the momentum that is developing around the bill," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said.

Last Friday, Democrats picked up five more 'yes' votes when Representatives John Boccieri, Charlie Wilson, Allen Boyd, Suzanne Kosmas and Scott Murphy said they would support the bill.

Boccieri, Boyd, Kosmas and Murphy had voted against the House health care bill in November. Wilson voted for it then but had been undecided about today's vote.

Despite these advances, Pelosi stopped short of saying she had the votes in hand to pass the $940-billion measure after a dramatic week of arm-twisting and head counts.

In a boost to Obama both the American Medical Association, previously hostile to some aspects of health reform, and the AARP, a lobby group for retirees, have now endorsed the legislation.

If the House passes the bill today, Obama would sign it into law.

The Senate would then be expected to vote on a House-passed package of fixes to the bill that would amend that law and make it more palatable to House members.

Obama was due to meet Democratic lawmakers in a vast auditorium in the Capitol's sleek visitors' centre at 8.05 p.m., along with Senate Democratic Majority Leader Harry Reid.

Reid's presence could serve to reassure House members the Senate will do its part by endorsing changes to the original legislation.