Obama to Hold Televised Health Summit

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It's President Obama's daring bet on health care reform.

Six hours of bipartisan debate at Blair House, across from the White House carried live on cable.

The President thinks the coverage will favor his broad approach.

"I hope everyone comes with a shared desire to solve this challenge, not just score political points," said Obama.

The President will open the talks and moderate debate tightly structured around four themes: controlling costs, insurance reforms, deficit reduction and expanding coverage.

Some thirty lawmakers will attend, Republicans demanding Democrats scrap bills passed so far.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said, "Unless they want to do that, I think it's nearly impossible to imagine a scenario under which we could reach an agreement."

The President's Senate allies are ready to act without GOP support even on a simple majority vote.

Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd said, "After that meeting, you can either join us or get out of the way! Cause we're gonna get national healthcare done in this country!"

But nervous House Democrats put reform in doubt there as critics cast it as government power grab.

Utah Senator Orrin Hatch said, "They want to push us toward the single-payer system, which, by any definition, is socialized medicine."

Republicans focus on limiting malpractice lawsuits and boosting competition among insurers across state lines.