Obama asks Republicans for ’soul searching’ on health care, says he’ll proceed without them

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Obama ends health summit promising to move ahead

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is asking Republicans to do some “soul-searching” to help them settle on what ideas they can agree to extend health insurance to the 30 million people without it.

Closing a daylong health summit with Republican and Democratic lawmakers, Obama said there is no time for another year of debate on the issue. Republicans have insisted that he scrap Democratic bills and start anew.

Obama says if he can’t close the gap with Republicans on the issue of extending coverage, he will have to move ahead without GOP input.