Updated: 9:10 a.m. Tuesday

Activists who want Congress to pass a health care bill with a public option fanned out across some key intersections in St. Louis today, waving signs and urging motorists who honked in support.

"This is taking far too long," said Joan Suarez, who was among a group at Forest Park Parkway and Skinker Boulevard. "We want to be sure that the Senate hears us."

Asked how the honking was going, Suarez said "well, some of them are honking." Then, two more cars honked loudly, and Suarez smiled broadly.

Suarez is with St. Louis Area Jobs with Justice, a labor organization that is covering the intersection at Forest Park and a location downtown.

The events are part of a national effort today by Democratic Party leaders and allies who put pressure on Congress as Democrats try to work out differences in several health care bills.

Several local groups are taking part, including Central Reform Congregation, which posted about 10 sign wavers at Kingshighway and Lindell Boulevard, just a few blocks south of their synogogue. Suarez's group had about 10 as well.

Among them was Adam Shriver of University City who is a graduate student in philosophy at Washington University. Shriver elicited honks from his post at the northeast corner of Forest Park and Skinker.

"I have been following this issue closely," Shriver said. "The major question is whether people want to live in a society where the rich get all the benefits and the middle class and poor get left behind. There's still a question whether a bill will be passed. We want our voices heard."

The honking also was regular at Kinghighway and Lindell. Jen Bersdale, director of advocacy for Central Reform, said, "We consider this a moral issue. We are very committed to passing health care reform and we want to make sure our neighbors and Congress know that. The honking has been wonderful -- lots of cars, even some school buses and a dump truck."

Ditto on the dump truck -- the northbound dumper drowned out the interview with its airhorn.

The White House and lawmakers are trying to blend five House and Senate committee versions of health care reform legislation into a bill that will pass both houses. Near unanimous Republican opposition is expected.

House Democrats are insisting on the government-run plan, or public option. In the Senate, Republicans and some Democrats oppose the measure, meaning inclusion of the public option would fail to gain the 60 votes needed to overcome a Republican filibuster. Some in the Senate strongly support inclusion of the public option.

House leaders have said that the House probably won't vote on the measure until mid-November. Their goal is to vote before Christmas.

At Manchester Avenue and Kingshighway, protest station for the staff at Paraquad, Alvira Husic cheered happily  whenever a motorist honked. Kevin Koenig, a case worker for the disability-advocacy agency, was describing the loud responses when a driver in a minivan driver indicated his disapproval.

"There's another thumbs down," Koenig said. "We've had a couple of those. But the honking has been pretty steady."

At Market Street and Tucker Boulevard downtown, Mark Esters stood on the median with his sign. Esters, an organizer for Communications Workers of America Local 6355, said, "It's important that we get a bill passed that takes care of every American."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.