President Barack Obama is trying to rally support for his health care overhaul bill by telling Democrats that Republicans fear that the legislation will end up being popular.
In a televised meeting with House Democrats on Capitol Hill, Obama told the lawmakers that Republicans realize that once the bill becomes law, "Low and behold, nobody's pulling the plug on granny."
That was a reference to opponents' false claims last summer that the health bill would let government bureaucrats make life and death decisions.
Obama said voters would like the bill's features that take effect this year, including restrictions on insurance companies and allowing parents to keep insurance coverage for children until they reach age 26.
© Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.