Democrats pare differences over healthcare overhaul

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President Obama put off the start of a scheduled Asian trip on Friday as the White House and senior Democrats reached for agreement on long-stalled healthcare legislation they hope to push through Congress within days.

At the same time, the White House announced Obama would travel to Ohio on Monday -- the third in a string of campaign-style appearances since he vowed several days ago to do everything in his power to ensure enactment of his top domestic priority.

Congressional officials reported progress on their plan to rescue the legislation, which is designed to extend healthcare to millions of uninsured Americans, while banning insurance company practices such as denial of benefits on the basis of pre-existing conditions.

It appeared that a second administration priority, far-reaching changes in the student loan industry, would be added to the legislation. The measure would have the government originate assistance to needy college students, ending a system that has allowed banks and other private lenders to do so for a fee.

The change is estimated to save tens of billions of dollars over a decade, money that would be plowed back into higher Pell Grants and other student aid.

At the White House, a senior administration official said Obama’s scheduled trip to Indonesia, Guam and Australia would be pushed back from March 18 to March 21 and that the president would return on March 26 instead of March 24. The official divulged this information on the grounds of anonymity because Obama’s change in travel plans had not yet been formally announced.

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs had insisted earlier that Congress act by March 18 — Obama’s original departure date. But the White House seems to have backed off that request as Democratic leaders scurried to round up votes.

-- Associated Press