WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama says he wants to change how the United States deals with medical malpractice lawsuits, although he says Republicans are overstating its effects on the health care system.

Obama on Thursday said he wants to work across the aisle and incorporate changes to malpractice rules. Republicans favor changes as part of the proposed health care overhaul. Obama disputes their claim that malpractice lawsuits are the biggest driver of medical inflation.

Rep. John Boehner, the top Republican in the House, says lawsuits have helped grow the size of health care costs. Sen. Dick Durbin, an Illinois Democrat, says it is unfair to cap the size of lawsuits when the health care system is to blame.

Obama says he's looking at pilot programs.