Washington  - US President Barack Obama will address a joint session of Congress next week in an effort to regain the momentum in his fight to reform health care.

Obama will speak to lawmakers on September 9, one day after the House of Representatives and Senate return from recess, to outline more details in his plan, Politico reported Wednesday, citing a senior official.

Obama is hopeful that he could gain the initiative by holding the address just as Congress gets back from summer break. As the health care debate has dragged on, Obama has seen his job-approval ratings slip.

A CNN poll published Tuesday showed his approval rating had fallen to 53 per cent.

Obama's health care reform has encountered strong resistance from Republicans, and even some of his Democrats are sceptical of the plan.  dpa