US President Barack Obama has unveiled new plans to reform healthcare and revive stalled legislation on the issue.
One of the key proposals gives the US government power to block health insurers from imposing excessive premium increases.
Mr Obama will hold bipartisan talks at the White House on the issue on Thursday.
The Obama plan aims to cover 31 million uninsured US and crack down on exorbitant premium hikes by insurers.
Mr Obama is hoping to tap into a new supply of political support arising from the recent decision by leading insurer Anthem Blue Cross of California to raise premiums by as much as 39% from 1 March.
However, Republicans are unlikely to back the plan. They argue that its proposals have been public for some time and that Obama is insincere in his promise to work with them.
