U.S. President Barack Obama arrives in Strongsville, Ohio, on Monday to promote health insurance reform. (Jim Young/Reuters)U.S. President Barack Obama took his push for health-care reform to Ohio on Monday, calling on Congress to move beyond partisan politics and pass the controversial changes.

Addressing a crowd in the city of Strongsville, Obama outlined the proposal and tried to drum up support for the plan, which would provide coverage for millions of uninsured Americans.

"I'm calling on Congress to pass these reforms, and I'm going to sign them into law," Obama said.

Obama's trip to Ohio marked his third out-of-town visit to build support for long-stalled legislation to remake the health-care system.

At the campaign-style rally, Obama told the story of Natoma Canfield, a local woman and cancer victim who wrote the president to tell him that she gave up her health insurance after the cost rose to $8,500 a year.

Obama has repeatedly cited that letter to illustrate the urgency of the massive overhaul. Canfield's sister, Connie Anderson, introduced Obama at Monday's event.

"You want to know why I'm here, Ohio? I'm here because of Natoma," Obama told the crowd.

Doughnut gap

Obama also addressed seniors, explaining he would close a gap in prescription drug coverage known as a doughnut hole.

"This proposal will over time help reduce the costs of Medicare that you pay every month. And this proposal would make preventive care free, so you don't have to pay out-of-pocket for tests that keep you healthy."

Obama did not discuss details, but officials have said the gap in prescription drug coverage would close over a decade.

"We can't have a system that works better for the insurance company than it does for the American people," Obama said.

Protesters line the street Monday in Strongsville, Ohio, where President Barack Obama spoke about his health-care proposals. (Mark Duncan/Associated Press)White House officials have predicted the legislation will clear the House by the end of the week, despite strong opposition from Republicans. The House budget committee arranged a mid-afternoon meeting to begin a series of events expected to culminate in a House vote within days.

Obama asked Congress more than a year ago to approve legislation that extends health coverage to tens of millions who lack it and curbs industry practices such as denying coverage on the basis of pre-existing medical conditions.

Legislation seemed to be on the cusp of passage in January, after both House of Representatives and the Senate approved bills and lawmakers began working out a final compromise. But those efforts were delayed after Republicans won a special election in Massachusetts, and with it, the ability to block a vote on a final bill in the Senate.

Now, nearly two months later, legislators have embarked on a two-step approach that begins with the House approving the Senate-passed measure, despite misgivings on key provisions.

That would be followed by both houses quickly passing a second bill that makes numerous changes to the first.

In the Senate, that second bill would come to a vote under rules that deny Republicans the ability to filibuster.

A close vote is expected in the House, where a senior lawmaker said the leadership does not yet have enough support to pass the measure. Rep. James Clyburn, the Democratic whip, also said he was confident the bill would ultimately pass and later identified four lawmakers who voted against the legislation once but could switch sides in the coming days.

In Strongsville, protesters arrived hours early, lining several blocks leading to the senior centre. They stood in a light drizzle, waved to passing vehicles and held signs including "Don't stick me with your Obamacare!"

With files from CBC News