http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100212/ap_on_bi_ge/us_health_care_overhaul President Barack Obama on Friday issued invitations and challenges to three dozen Republicans and Democrats, asking them to attend a summit on health care this month and come up with comprehensive legislation to deal with millions of uninsured Americans and rising medical costs.
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In a letter to Democratic and Republican congressional leaders, White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius cited the recent 39 percent rate hikes by Anthem Blue Cross in California.
"As the president noted this week, if we don't act on comprehensive health insurance reform, this enormous rate hike will be 'just a preview of coming attractions,'" they wrote.
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The White House named 21 lawmakers the president wants to attend the Feb. 25 event: the top leaders in the House and Senate and of the committees with jurisdiction over the health legislation. Obama also invited the top four leaders to invite four more lawmakers each, bringing the total to 37 — 20 Democrats and 17 Republicans.