Obama, Democrats declare progress on health care STOP THE GOP

WASHINGTON – Searching for unity, President Barack Obama and senior Democratic lawmakers emerged from marathon health care talks late Wednesday with a declaration that they had made tough gains — but no deal just yet. "We made significant progress in bridging the gaps," Obama said in a joint, written statement with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. It was a reference to the significant differences in the versions of the House and Senate bills, legislation designed to expand coverage to millions and rein in long-term health care costs. Pushed by Obama, senior Democratic lawmakers plunged into talks at the White House in a hurry-up bid for an overdue agreement. The unusually long meeting — it began at midmorning and was still going at sunset — underscored the urgency they and Obama felt about completing legislation on which they have staked so much. The White House said the leaders covered all aspects of the legislation but it released no details about where the progress had been achieved or when the laborious process would end. "Prospects of reaching agreement between the Senate and the House are better than they were 24 hours ago. We're getting close," House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said after the daylong talks finally ended. Congressional negotiators will return to the White House on Thursday afternoon for more meetings. The House and Senate have passed different versions of the measure, which Obama wants to expand health coverage to millions who lack it, end insurance company practices such as denying coverage on the basis of pre-existing medical conditions and slow the rate of growth of medical costs overall.