It's end game time.

With the health care ball bouncing now in the Senate's court, Nebraska supporters embarked Monday on a weeklong tour promoting comprehensive reform.

Sens. Ben Nelson and Mike Johanns need to "listen to the voices" of small business owners, faith leaders, doctors and other constituents, Jane Kleeb told a kickoff event in Lincoln.

Kleeb is the voice of Change That Works, a group promoting a progressive legislative agenda.

Nebraskans want affordable health care and affordable health care insurance, said Jennifer Carter of the Nebraska Appleseed Center.

And, she said, they want coverage for 224,000 uninsured fellow citizens, including 45,000 Nebraska children.

Rick Poore, who owns Design Wear, a screen printing company, said the legislation would be "good for small business" despite claims to the contrary made by Republican opponents, including Johanns.

Poore said he provides health care coverage for his 28 employees, but finds it increasingly difficult as insurance costs soar. Reforms would allow him to purchase within larger pools across state lines, he said.

The gathering in front of Poore's business launched a tour by rented ambulance to rally supporters to apply pressure on Johanns and Nelson to support reform legislation.

Johanns, a Republican, will host town hall meetings later in the week in Lincoln, Grand Island, Lexington and Kearney that are likely to turn into anti-reform rallies.

Opponents of Democratic proposals for comprehensive reform have dominated town hall sessions in Nebraska and nationally.

Supporters will counter next Monday with a march in Lincoln and a candlelight vigil at the State Capitol.

Nebraska's three Republican congressmen voted against the House version of health care reform when it was enacted Saturday.

Johanns is opposed to the Senate version crafted by Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada.

The only vote that appears to be in play is Nelson's decision on whether to support a Republican filibuster designed to prevent a final Senate vote on the bill.

Nelson, the only Democratic member of the state's congressional delegation, has signaled he's unlikely to support the legislation itself, at least as it is currently written.

AARP, which supported the House bill, expressed its disappointment with Reps. Jeff Fortenberry, Lee Terry and Adrian Smith.

"When millions of older Americans are struggling to afford quality insurance and millions of seniors must choose between their prescriptions and other necessities, we know this legislation must move forward," AARP State Director Connie Benjamin said.

"We hope they will reconsider their votes when a health care bill returns to the House for final approval."

Fortenberry said the House bill is "a mind-numbingly complex and costly prescription" for health care reform.

"This bill will fail to reduce costs, shift the costs to more government-run health care and reduce health care liberties," he said.

Terry said he was "deeply concerned by the bill's $1.3 trillion cost, cuts to important services in the name of 'savings,' and the intrusion of government into the health care system."

Smith said the legislation "puts bureaucrats between patients and their doctors" and is fiscally irresponsible.

Reach Don Walton at 473-7248 or at dwalton@journalstar.com.