Boccieri supports health overhaul

WASHINGTON - Democratic Rep. John Boccieri of Ohio is switching his vote to "yes" on President Barack Obama's health care overhaul.

The freshman lawmaker announced his decision at a Capitol Hill news conference on Friday. Boccieri opposed the House version of the bill last November.

Boccieri said he was standing up and doing what he believes in.

He is one of four Democrats to switch from no to yes in the past few days as Obama and Democratic leaders try to corral enough votes for the legislation. A vote is expected on Sunday.

Boccieri has been pressured on the issue. Labor unions and other groups backing health care reform ran ads in his district.

WEB EXTRA: follow the health care circuit with our live feed center.  Here is a schedule of feeds :

10:40am: Boccieri announces stance on health care reform
11:00am: Speaker of the House Pelosi holds weekly news conference
11:30am: President Obama delivers remarks on health care reform in Fairfax, Virginia
11:45am: Minority leader Boehner holds his weekly news conference

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A vote is expected to happen Sunday, and is expected to be close.

Democrats have been working overtime this week, trying to earn enough support to squeak out a victory for President Barack Obama.

Obama himself has even jumped into the persuasion process.  On Monday, he invited Representative Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, aboard Air Force One on his trip to Strongsville.

Two days later, Kucinich announced in a press conference on Capitol Hill that he would be changing his vote from a no, to a yes.

Many believe that the president's persuasion played a part.

Representative John Boccieri, D-Ohio, like Kucinich, was invited to Obama's health care speech in Strongsville Monday (and for a ride on Air Force One), but elected not to attend.  This move has left many guessing about how the freshman Rep. will vote.

The answer to that question will come at 10:40 a.m. on Friday when Boccieri holds his own Capitol Hill press conference.

As for this weekend, President Barack Obama had originally planned a trip to Asia, but has since postponed it in favor of last-minute lobbying at the White House on his most coveted issue. 

On Friday, the Congressional Budget Office released the projected price tag on the historical bill: $940 billion.

Supporters claim that this bill will expand health care to 32 million uninsured, bar the insurance industry from denying coverage on the basis of pre-existing medical conditions, and trim federal deficits by an estimated $138 billion over the next decade.

The bill would affect early every American and remake one-sixth of the national economy.  If it passes, beginning in 2014, most Americans would be required for the first time to purchase insurance, and face penalties if they refused.

Millions of families with incomes up to $88,000 a year would receive government help to defray their costs. Large businesses would face fines if they did not offer good-quality coverage to their workers.

In a move that has sparked outrage by Republicans, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is likely to try and pass both the House and Senate bills with a single vote in hopes of keeping House Democrats from having to cast a direct vote on the Senate bill.

Passage in the House would send the first bill to the president for his signature, and the other measure to the Senate for a final vote expected by the end of next week.

Over GOP objections, it will take place under rules that bar a filibuster, meaning Democrats will not be required to post a 60-vote majority.

Republicans said they would challenge select provisions of the measure by claiming they were not eligible to be included in a measure considered under non-filibuster rules.