Newsmax (Mobile)
Buoyed by two major endorsements, House Democratic leaders on Thursday predicted swift passage of President Barack Obama's historic health overhaul initiative. The president himself declared, "We are closer to passing this reform than ever before." With a vote set for Saturday, momentum gathered behind the sweeping legislation to remake the U.S. health care system and extend coverage to millions of the uninsured. The American Medical Association and the powerful seniors' lobby AARP both threw their weight behind the bill Thursday. AARP, with its 40 million members, promised to run ads and contact activists to gin up support.