clipped from www.talkingpointsmemo.com

Leading Democrats on Sunday said they expect Congress to pass a major healthcare reform backed by President Barack Obama, but supporters may have to accept legislation that falls short on some issues.

"We want to cover the uninsured, yes, but we don't want to do it in a way that's going to drive up the costs for folks who currently have it," said Senator Evan Bayh, one of a number of centrist Democrats whose support will be crucial to pass the overhaul in the face of solid Republican opposition.

In an interview with "Fox News Sunday," Bayh said he would push to make sure the legislation is cost effective but acknowledged that not every senator will get what he wants.

"I don't think we can afford to do nothing with costs going up 10, 15 percent a year," Bayh said.

The stakes are high for Obama.

But some liberals, including independent Senator Bernie Sanders, insist the bill include a public plan, arguing that it would help contain insurance costs.