Attempt to redo White House agreement with drug makers is rebuffed by Finance panelSeptember 24th, 2009 Senators rebuff attempt to squeeze drug makersWASHINGTON — Senators writing a sweeping health care overhaul have rebuffed an attempt to squeeze more money from the drug industry for medicines used by low-income seniors. By a 13-10 vote, the Democratic-dominated Senate Finance Committee defeated an amendment requiring rebates of $106 billion over 10 years from the industry.
Health care issues: Proposed drug industry savingsSeptember 18th, 2009 Health care issues: Proposed drug industry savingsA look at key issues in the health care debate:
THE ISSUE: Is the pharmaceutical industry's agreement to lower drug costs by $80 billion over the next decade fair?
THE POLITICS: The industry's trade group, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, agreed to contribute those savings to help pay for Democrats' proposed $1 trillion health care overhaul. That deal was struck with the White House and the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, Democrat Max Baucus of Montana.
EPA tells court it will redo Bush-era smog standard because it doesn't follow pollution lawSeptember 16th, 2009 EPA tells court it will redo Bush-era smog ruleWASHINGTON — The Obama administration signaled Wednesday that it would scrap a controversial Bush-era rule that set stricter limits for smog but fell short of scientific recommendations. In a notice filed Wednesday in a federal appeals court, the Justice Department says there are concerns that the revision made by the Bush administration does not adhere to federal air pollution law.
White House calls new Senate Finance health plan a 'building block', not the end of debateSeptember 16th, 2009 White House: Senate health bill a 'building block'WASHINGTON — The White House says a health care reform bill from a key Senate committee is "an important building block" in getting closer to comprehensive health care reform. Sen. Max Baucus released the long-awaited version of the bill from his Senate Finance committee Wednesday.
Failure to launch: Obama space panel says Bush's moon return plan too costly, won't flySeptember 8th, 2009 Obama space panel says moon return plan is a no-goWASHINGTON — A White House panel of independent space experts says NASA's return-to-the-moon plan just won't fly. The problem is money.
White House decries Saudi assassination attempt, calls it 'cowardly'September 1st, 2009 White House: Attempt to kill Saudi 'cowardly'WASHINGTON — The White House says a failed assassination attempt against a Saudi anti-terrorism minister was a "cowardly attack" and serves as a reminder of the importance of U.S. cooperation with partners in that region.
White House Quip: Obama would go to moon in pursuit of deal to overhaul health care system nowAugust 19th, 2009 White House: Obama would go to moon for his goalWASHINGTON — How far is President Barack Obama willing to go for a deal on overhauling the health care system?
Try all the way to the moon. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs joked Wednesday that Obama would orbit the moon if he thought it would help get a deal on a bill Congress can vote on after it returns from summer break.
Republicans on House oversight committee wants answers on White House e-mailsAugust 17th, 2009 Republicans want answers on White House e-mailsWASHINGTON — A mass e-mail from a top adviser to President Barack Obama has the leading Republican on a House oversight panel looking for answers. California Rep.
Nation's drugmakers help Obama in his campaign to remake health care systemAugust 8th, 2009 Drug industry helping Obama overhaul health careWASHINGTON —The nation's drugmakers stand ready to spend $150 million to help President Barack Obama overhaul health care this fall, according to numerous officials, a staggering sum that could dwarf attempts to derail Obama's top domestic priority. The White House and allies in Congress are well aware of the effort by Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, a somewhat surprising political alliance, given the drug industry's recent history of siding with Republicans and the Democrats' disdain for special interests.
One obstacle to health care overhaul may be cleared, but others remainJuly 24th, 2009 House Democrats clearing one health care obstacleWASHINGTON — Key House Democrats agreed Friday on steps designed to cut the growth of Medicare, clearing one of numerous obstacles blocking an early vote on health care legislation. But even as Speaker Nancy Pelosi hailed the agreement as a "giant step forward" on President Barack Obama's top domestic legislation, leaders struggled without success to ease the concerns of moderate to conservative Democrats who have held up progress on the bill for a week.
Under emerging deal, hospitals would help pay Obama's health care expansionJuly 6th, 2009 Top Dem senator, hospitals near health care dealWASHINGTON — With health care legislation at a crossroads, the nation's hospitals are near agreement with a key lawmaker and the White House to pick up part of the cost of President Barack Obama's plan for expanded coverage, officials said Monday. The precise size of any deal was not available, although several days ago, talks were focused in the range of $150 billion to $155 billion over a decade.
Obama to formally announce agreement Monday with pharmaceutical companies on Medicare coverageJune 22nd, 2009 Obama to announce agreement with drug companiesWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama will make a formal announcement Monday welcoming the weekend agreement by the pharmaceutical industry to help close a gap in prescription drug coverage under Medicare. The president has invited Barry Rand, head of the senior citizens' advocacy group AARP, to appear with him.
White House, congressional leaders, drug companies negotiate closing Medicare gapJune 20th, 2009 Drug companies may narrow Medicare coverage gapWASHINGTON — The pharmaceutical industry would finance improved coverage under the Medicare prescription drug program and help defray the cost of President Barack Obama's health care legislation under an $80 billion deal with key lawmakers and the White House that officials said Friday night was close to agreement. These officials said the 10-year proposal under discussion would have drug firms pay as much as half of the cost of brand-name drugs for lower and middle-income seniors in the so-called "doughnut hole."
Medicare patients with incomes up to about $80,000 would realize some benefit.
White House Correspondents' Association annual dinner donating to charity, scholarshipsMay 5th, 2009 Journalist dinner proceeds going to charityWASHINGTON — Proceeds from the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner Saturday will help feed the hungry as well as funding journalism scholarships as the group has traditionally done, the press association announced. In recognition of hard times in the country, the association will skip formal dessert for the 2,700 dinner guests and donate the money saved, $13,140, to the Washington-based charity So Others Might Eat.
White House rejects independent commission on interrogation programApril 23rd, 2009 White House: No commission on interrogationsWASHINGTON — The White House is ruling out an independent panel to investigate the Bush administration's harsh interrogations of terror suspects. Press secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters Thursday that the idea was discussed "in earnest" inside the White House about two weeks ago.
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