A Senate Democrat is trying to build support for a plan that would guarantee health coverage for nearly all Americans. The cost to taxpayers would be less than $900 billion over 10 years.

It would require all Americans to get health insurance. Those who don't would have to pay penalties ranging from $750 a year for low-income individuals to $3,800 a year for families making more than three times the federal poverty level.

The plan was put forward by Max Baucus of Montana, a moderate who heads the Senate Finance Committee.

As President Barack Obama prepares for tomorrow night's high-stakes speech to Congress on health care reform, a provision that is considered by liberals to be a must-have is losing support.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer told reporters that a government health insurance option for middle-class Americans isn't an essential part of legislation for him.

Earlier, a key moderate House Democrat -- Mike Ross of Arkansas -- abandoned his support of the public option. He had supported it before, but says he changed his mind after hearing from constituents during the August recess.