Obama said to be open-minded on health-care change

WASHINGTON -- A White House domestic policy adviser says President Barack Obama is open-minded about ways to overhaul the country's expensive health care system.

Melody Barnes said Obama "walks into this conversation being pragmatic, being open. He knows that the American people are hurting."

Obama invited a broad group of doctors, patients, business owners and insurers to a forum at the White House Thursday in a discussion that will include Republicans.

Barnes said on NBC's "Today" show the administration "has to be transparent" about changes to the system. She also said that officials want the legislation to go to Obama for his signature "before the end of the year."

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, appearing on the same show, said he's glad Obama is consulting GOP figures and said that no meaningful health care overhaul can be passed without bipartisan support.