At Summit, Obama Aims to Address Economic Fears

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama sought to assure the nation Monday that he will address runaway government deficits, despite adding to the red ink now to battle the economic crisis. After a four-hour “fiscal responsibility summit” with both Republican and Democratic lawmakers, Mr. Obama said he was paying attention to fiscal matters large and small. He also announced a summit on health care next week at the White House, to follow the unveiling of a budget Thursday that will make room for his proposal to offer Americans near-universal health care.