Further complicating matters is Illinois Democrat Roland Burris, who says he won't vote for a health care bill unless it does have a public option.

NPR: Public Option Short On Democrat Votes In Senate

The provision that would matter most to people, he says, won't kick in until 2014 -- when 30 million people would be able to get health care without being denied insurance due to pre-existing conditions.

CNN: To sway voters, tens of millions spent on health care ads

He argues that even though Obama in 2010 won the health care fight in a partisan showdown, the public didn't judge health care to be as important as dealing with the economy.

NPR: Obama Bypasses Congress With Public Economic Pitch