As healthcare reform issues begin to boil on Capitol Hill, President Barack Obama and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius will be taking their campaign for reform to the people.
On Wednesday, the president met with Democrat and Republican leaders at the White House to discuss progress on drafting a reform bill by the end of the summer. The Senate has issued two drafts so far, with hopes of nailing a bill down by end of July. The House is aiming for late August. Obama has said he wants a bill to sign by Oct. 1.
On Thursday, Obama was expected to travel to Green Bay, Wis. to hold a town hall meeting on health reform, with a speech planned on healthcare next Monday in Chicago.
According to White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, the president is pleased that Congress appears to be making progress.
"I think you'll hear him ... lay out the strong case for healthcare reform to bring about some relief for families and small business from the cost that they're seeing rise each and every year," Gibbs told reporters on Wednesday.
Though the president and his staff are helping to negotiate health reform with Congress, Gibbs said Obama "is anxious to let the legislative process work."
Sebelius will visit Omaha, Neb. on Friday to hold a roundtable discussion with Nebraskans. According to HHS officials, She will discuss the importance of enacting health reform that reduces costs for families, businesses and government, protects people's choice of doctors, hospitals and health plans and assures affordable, quality healthcare for all Americans.
Sebelius will also tour Lakeside Hospital in Omaha, one of the first paperless hospitals in the nation.