WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama this morning opened his health care summit by urging Democrats and Republicans to put aside differences and fix "one of the biggest drags on the economy."

Obama said "everybody understands that the problem is not getting better, it's getting worse."

He said projections anticipate health insurance premiums rising substantially. He also said businesses are having to make decisions about dropping health care coverage for their employees.

He also said the escalating costs of medical care in this country are aggravating a deepening federal deficit. He acknowledged to the lawmakers sitting before him at the Blair House, "I know I'm telling you things you already know."

His high expectations rested on a virtually unprecedented gathering of key congressional Democrats and Republicans, taking seats at his invitation at a square table.

Obama walked around the table and shook hands before convening the conference. Among the congressional figures at the table is Sen. John McCain, the Republican who lost to Obama in the 2008 presidential election.