Obama and Democratic leaders say the problems are deeper and systemic, and the president spent all of his seven-minute opening statement at the 52-minute news conference outlining the challenges and his proposed solutions.

'Even as we rescue this economy from a full-blown crisis, we must rebuild it stronger than before -- and health insurance reform is central to that effort,' Obama said.

He also chided opponents of his healthcare reform push for making the issue purely political.

'I've heard that one Republican strategist told his party that even though they may want to compromise, it's better politics to 'go for the kill'. Another Republican senator said that defeating health reform is about 'breaking' me,' he said.

'Let me be clear: This isn't about me,' Obama said, noting that he and every member of Congress -- including those trying to scuttle health care reform legislation -- 'have great health insurance'.

(Arun Kumar can be contacted at arun.kumar@ians.in)