GLENSIDE, Pa. -- President Barack Obama began an important political week for his health care legislation with a passionate argument for its urgency Monday at Arcadia University in Glenside, blasting the insurance industry for skyrocketing premiums, canceled coverage -- and suffering Americans.

"We've been talking about this for a century. ... If not now, when? If not us, who?" Mr. Obama said to 1,800 people crammed into the school's gym. "I don't know how health care reform will play politically, but I know it's the right thing to do."

The president said Washington's preoccupation with the "sport of politics" is hindering solutions to problems with the health care system, with rising costs and millions uninsured. Final legislation is being cobbled together now, with a Congressional Budget Office fiscal analysis due this week, and Mr. Obama has said he wants an up-or-down vote in Congress by March 18.

Later this week, Mr. Obama will travel to St. Louis, in the swing state of Missouri, to continue pressing his case. Pennsylvania is also a swing state, and Montgomery County, which includes Glenside, is home to many independent voters who have been trending Democratic in recent national elections. But the latest polls suggest that many independents are skeptical of a health care overhaul.

In his speech, Mr. Obama railed against the greed of health insurance firms. He cited recent massive rate hikes by major insurers and the advice of investment consultants at Goldman Sachs that customers should buy stock in health insurers because it's easy money -- no competition and no price restraints.

"You see, these insurance companies have made a calculation," he said. "They're OK with people being priced out of health insurance because they'll still make more by raising premiums on the customers they have. And they will keep doing this for as long as they can get away with it. ..."

"So how much higher do premiums have to rise until we do something about it?" Mr. Obama asked. "How many more Americans have to lose their health insurance? How many more businesses have to drop coverage? How many more years can the federal budget handle the crushing costs of Medicare and Medicaid? When is the right time for health insurance reform?"

The trip to Arcadia University was part of a last-ditch effort by the president to press Congress to adopt legislation overhauling the nation's health care system.

"A lot of my family cannot afford health care," said psychology major Rebekah Woolf, who said she camped out Friday night for the chance to get a ticket when they were handed out Saturday.

Before the president arrived, about 200 tea party opponents of the president held a rally outside the university gates. The tea partiers held signs saying, "Obamacare Sick Joke," "Hands Off My Health Care," and "No Socialized Medicine." Police tried to move the group, citing safety concerns, but relented after they were shouted down.

A smaller group turned out to support the president, holding signs saying, "Yes, Yes to Health Care," and "Health Care Reform, Yes We Can."

"People are angry for different reasons," Kathy DiPangrazio of Montgomery Township said of the president's opponents. She said she and three friends who accompanied her from Lansdale, Pa., want to show that there is support for Mr. Obama and health care reform.

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