With Congress away, Obama takes health care pitch on the road and via the Internet

Obama takes health care pitch to Virginia

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is taking his pitch for health care revisions to Virginia, holding a town hall forum and fielding questions via the Internet.

Congress will fully engage in the health care debate when it returns Monday from a one-week recess. As lawmakers discuss the matter with their constituents, Obama is following suit, going to nearby Annandale, Va., on Wednesday.

Obama’s agenda calls for reducing health care delivery costs through less waste, insuring virtually all Americans and encouraging doctors and hospitals to emphasize quality of care over quantity of procedures.

Obama says the government will not borrow money to carry out the plans, but many Republicans are dubious if not outright hostile to his proposals.