President Obama says he won’t push health care plan on Congress, ready to hear other proposals

Obama: Cooperation with Hill needed on health care

GREEN BAY, Wis. — President Barack Obama is vowing that he won’t run roughshod over Congress in putting together legislation overhauling the country’s health care system.

Obama told a town hall meeting Thursday that Democrats and Republicans can agree on most aspects of a new health care program, but he conceded there are gaping differences over how large a role the government should play.

The president told his audience he doesn’t have all the answers and that he doesn’t want to simply submit a plan and say, ‘It’s my way or the highway.’ “

Obama said there is universal agreement on some issues, such as going to electronic records and reducing paperwork for patients and health professionals.