The House of Representatives introduced a healthcare bill on Tuesday that incorporates a significant tax increase for the wealthy as Barack Obama tries to steer his most cherished reform into law.

The bill would partly fund the cost of expanding coverage to the 45m uninsured – pegged at about $100bn (£60bn, €70bn) a year – by levying new taxes on wealthy citizens. Senior Democrats said they would aim to pass the bill before Congress breaks for recess on August 3.