Obama says 'now's the time' to pass health care

President Barack Obama said Monday that America has no choice but to overhaul the health care system to make insurance cheaper for families, businesses and the government.

He predicted success, but warned that major industries such as insurance companies will fight hard to prevent it.

Obama made the remarks at a pair of Democratic Party fundraisers in Miami.

He spoke a few hours after Senate leaders endorsed legislation that would add a publicly run health insurance plan for Americans, with states having the right to opt out. Obama did not mention the Senate action, but he said a health care overhaul is closer than ever.

He warned, however, of tough battles ahead.

"It's going to get harder," the president told about 200 people who paid $500 each to greet him at a reception. "Now's the time when all the special interests are saying, 'Oh, this is really going to happen, we might lose some of our profits.' And they start paying big lobbyists, and they start twisting arms."

The president said health insurance premiums doubled in the past decade and will do so again in the next 10 years if nothing changes.

Obama made similar remarks moments later at a dinner where more than 100 people paid $15,000 each for a seat. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also addressed both groups. The money will be used for Democratic House and Senate races next year.

Dozens of protesters stood outside the Fountainbleau Hotel, where Obama spoke. Many of their handmade signs criticized his health care proposals, which some likened to socialism.

One woman's sign said, "Pull over, I have a shoe to throw."

But at the fundraising dinner, Obama said he doesn't let criticisms bother him much.

"Just because I'm skinny doesn't mean I'm not tough," he said. "I don't rattle. I'm not going to shrink back."

The president poked fun at Republicans, saying they left him to clean up an economic crisis while they criticize from the sidelines.

"Folks who made the mess say, 'You're not mopping fast enough,'" Obama said to laughter and cheers. "'You're not holding the mop the right way. It's a socialist mop.'"