President Barack Obama will address a joint session of Congress next Wednesday to inject new impetus into his plans for healthcare reform, seeking to overcome the bitter disputes that have bedevilled the debate during the August recess. The president would “set the course” for passing a healthcare bill in the autumn, laying out in clear terms what kind of reform he wanted to see passed, Democratic officials said on Wednesday.

The address – on Congress’s second day back after a summer of frenzied lobbying particularly by Republicans opposed to the administration’s plans – will mark Mr Obama’s return to the centre of the debate. It will be only the second time since taking office that he has addressed both houses on Capitol Hill.