The US President Barack Obama has rallied the support of Democratic lawmakers on Capitol Hill ahead of a crucial vote on sweeping healthcare reform. Urging them to back the measure in a House vote expected today, he said "Let's get this done." Democratic leaders have spent days working to get the 216 votes needed to pass the highly-contested bill. Democratic House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said he believed the party now had the necessary support. Senior House Democrats have decided on a direct vote to pass a Senate version of the reform bill rather than using a procedural measure that would have deemed it passed without a vote.Once passed, the reforms would deliver on Mr Obama's top domestic priority by providing insurance to some 32 million of the Americans who currently lack coverage. The Republicans are unanimously opposed to the legislation, which they say is unaffordable and represents a government takeover of a large part of the country's economy. Speaking to Democrats in Washington, Mr Obama said the vote would be the single most important step taken on healthcare since Medicare which helps the elderly, was passed four decades ago.