WASHINGTON (September 8, 2009)--President Barack Obama will answer "many of the big questions" about how the nation should move forward on health care in his speech to Congress Wednesday night White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said Tuesday.

But he declined to provide any details.

Mr. Obama will address Congress and the nation as he tries to build momentum for a legislative deal this fall.

The president told ABC the speech will do two things: help the public understand what he is proposing and show that he's open to new ideas for achieving his goals.

But he insisted, "We do intend to get something done this year."

Mr. Obama told ABC that after the speech, the country will know exactly what he thinks is the solution to controlling spiraling health care costs.

One key point of debate is whether Mr. Obama will insist or give ground on the so-called public option, a government plan to compete with private companies.

Gibbs declined to answer Tuesday whether Mr. Obama will be definitive on that point.

He said Mr. Obama will be clear about what health reform means for people and provide new, specific details.

The public option appears to be losing the support it would need from some key Democrats in Congress.

Liberals had described the government health insurance plan as a necessary part of health care reform.

But a moderate House Democrat says he can no longer support legislation that includes a public insurance plan to compete with private industry.

In committee, Mike Ross of Arkansas voted for a measure that included a public plan, but after hearing from constituents during the August recess, he now says if a final bill "contains a government-run public option," he'll oppose it.

Meanwhile, a new proposal from a senior Democrat would impose fines of up to $3,800 on Americans who fail to sign up for a medical plan after health care overhaul takes effect. 1