WRAPUP 4-Obama prods Congress on healthcare; Senate panel acts

(For a TAKE A LOOK on healthcare, click on [ID:nN07323916])

* New taxes for healthcare meet Senate resistance

* Obama urges Americans to appeal to Congress

* Health insurers urged to agree to savings, may see fees (Adds Obama interviews, meeting with Republican senators)

By Jackie Frank

WASHINGTON, July 15 (Reuters) - Saying it was "time to get this done," President Barack Obama pressed on Wednesday for swift congressional action on healthcare after a Senate panel approved a bill to overhaul the $2.5 trillion industry.

Panels led by his Democratic Party have stepped up activity on legislation that would meet Obama's goal of guaranteeing all Americans healthcare coverage, but they remain far from resolving the thorniest issue -- how to come up with about $1 trillion over 10 years in new taxes or savings to pay for it.

The first of five congressional panels to act, the Senate Health Committee approved legislation by a 13-10 vote that would set up a government-run insurance program to compete with private insurers. No Republicans voted for the measure.

The vote came a day after House Democratic leaders introduced a sweeping healthcare reform bill that included a government insurance option and is partially paid for with a planned tax on the wealthy. It would require employers to offer health coverage or pay into a government fund.