After Epic WH Meeting On Health Care Differences, Obama Cites "Progress"

Update: White House just sent out a "correction." Topic? Lunch was served in the Cabinet Room, not the Roosevelt Room.

President Obama, his top health care advisers and Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel spent more than eight hours dickering with top House and Senate Democrats over differences in their competing health reform bills.

The intense negotiations occurred in the Roosevelt Room. Lawmakers and White House staff munched Club sandwiches as the talks ground on through the afternoon.

Eleven Democrats from the House and Senate met with Obama, his top health care adviser Nancy-Ann DeParle and Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel from 10:35 a.m to 6:40 p.m., by far the longest White House-sponsored legislative wrestling match of the Obama presidency.

Afterward, in statement authorized by Obama, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, the trio said the marathon session yielded "significant progress."

But no final deal. The joint statement said negotiations would continue for "days'" likely pushing production of a consensus bill past Tuesday's special election in Massachusetts to fill the unexpired term of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy.

Health care has emerged as the pivotal issue in the surprisingly close contest between Democrat Martha Coakley and Republican Scott Brown. Coakley strongly backs White House-led reform efforts. Brown has vowed to become the "41st vote" against a Democratically drafted health care bill.

Democrats are nervous if Brown pulls an upset it could undermine the push for a health care deal. Coakley still leads in most polls, but the gap has narrowed steadily. Brown's ability to raise funds and attract Republican and independent support has unnerved Democrats who once assumed a Coakley victory.

Here is the statement from President Obama, Speaker Pelosi, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid:

“Today we made significant progress in bridging the remaining gaps between the two health insurance reform bills. We’re encouraged and energized, and we’re resolved to deliver reform legislation that provides more stability and security for those with insurance, extends coverage to those who don’t have coverage, and lowers costs for families, businesses, and governments.”

More on the meeting:

-- Leaders worked through all aspects of the legislation, and are making progress toward an agreed-upon overall package.

-- Meetings at the member and staff level will continue in the coming days.

-- The meeting took place in the Cabinet Room and lasted from approximately 10:30 a.m. until approximately 6:40 p.m. The President attended most of the meeting, but was in and out due to the urgent situation in Haiti. Lunch was served in the Roosevelt Room.

-- The Vice President and (Health and Human Services) Secretary (Kathleen) Sebelius both attended portions of the meeting.

-- Members present: Speaker Pelosi, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, Congressman James Clyburn, House Education Committee Chairman George Miller, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Sen. Dick Durbin, Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, Banking  Committee Chairman Christopher Dodd, and Education and Labor Committee Chairman Tom Harkin. White House staff present at the meeting included Rahm Emanuel, (Special Assistant for Legislative Affairs) Phil Schiliro, and Nancy-Ann DeParle.