"I promise you, we will pass reform by the end of this year because the American people need it," the president said.
That will take some doing; A handful of bills currently is circulating in the House and Senate amid at-times divisive policy arguments. The White House previously had said that it wanted Obama to be able to sign those changes into law by the end of the year.
In an interview after his speech, Obama said he is not wedded to a bill with Republican as well as Democratic support. He said he is encouraged that some in the GOP are negotiating with Democrats on the Senate Finance Committee, but signaled impatience with protracted talks that haven't yet produced legislation.
"Sometime in September we're going to have to make an assessment" about whether to keep trying to negotiate with Republicans, he told MSNBC.
Obama said he "would prefer Republicans working with us" but that getting his main priorities for a health care overhaul are more important.
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