President Barack Obama will address the American Medical Association in Chicago on Monday, part of a burgeoning White House effort to drum up public support for health care overhaul.

Obama will “make the case for health reform— and “make clear why we can’t wait another year,— White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said.

The president travels to Green Bay, Wis., on Thursday to hold a “town-hall meeting— on health care.

He met Wednesday with Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.), Finance ranking member Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) — who is pinch-hitting for Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Chairman Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) — and HELP ranking member Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) to talk about health care.

Gibbs said Obama was pleased by Baucus’ report on the pace of action on Capitol Hill, where lawmakers plan to have bills on the floor of the House and Senate by July.

“The president is pleased that what appears to be happening is … progress,— Gibbs said.

Obama Monday will discuss what health reform “means for families and doctors,— according to Gibbs.