Black, Latino groups target moderate Democratic senators on health care overhaul

September 30th, 2009 Health fight TV ads pass $100 million for the yearWASHINGTON — Medical providers, businesses and other groups battling over a health care overhaul have spent more than $100 million this year on television advertising — an enormous sum that highlights the stakes involved. Evan Tracey, who heads a private data tracking company called the Campaign Media Analysis Group, says spending on TV ads on the issue hit $110 million as of Sunday.

September 30th, 2009 Senators reject photo ID for health care benefitsWASHINGTON — Senators working on a health overhaul have rejected a Republican move to require photo identification for federal health benefits. Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa said his amendment would have helped cut fraud in health care programs for low-income people.

September 24th, 2009 Senators rebuff attempt to squeeze drugmakersWASHINGTON — 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 party line vote, the Democratic-dominated Senate Finance Committee defeated an amendment requiring rebates of $106 billion over 10 years from the industry.

September 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.

September 2nd, 2009 Correction: Health Care OverhaulWASHINGTON — In an Oct. 1 story about health care overhaul, The Associated Press reported erroneously that President Barack Obama repeatedly pledged last year that his health care plan would not raise taxes on any individual making more than $200,000 or a family with incomes over $250,000.

August 23rd, 2009 Senator: Single health care bill a better approachWASHINGTON — A key Democrat in the health care debate says separating out the various issues and putting them in different bills isn't likely to work. Some lawmakers have suggested that a separate bill with changes that are supported by Republicans and Democrats would be one route toward progress on the health care overhaul.

August 14th, 2009 Lawmaker predicts no health overhaul this yearWASHINGTON — A Pennsylvania lawmaker who is a close ally of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says it's looking unlikely that Congress will pass health care overhaul legislation this year. Democratic Rep.

August 4th, 2009 Reid: Democratic senators united on health careWASHINGTON — Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says his party's caucus has "absolute unity" on the need to pass health care reform this year. The Nevadan, joined by other lawmakers, spoke to reporters Tuesday afternoon on a White House driveway after Senate Democrats met over lunch with President Barack Obama.

July 15th, 2009 Obama group airing TV ad touting health overhaulWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama's political organization is running its first television ads boosting his drive to revamp health care. The 30-second ads will begin airing Wednesday in Washington, D.C., and on cable TV nationally.

July 15th, 2009 Obama stepping up push for health care overhaulWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama has scheduled an appearance in the White House Rose Garden today to talk about his top domestic priority: health care reform. The president wants the House and Senate to pass legislation overhauling the nation's health care system before lawmakers leave town for their annual August recess.

July 12th, 2009 Lawmakers say health overhaul has been slowedWASHINGTON — Top members of Congress say it's unlikely they will meet President Barack Obama's August deadline for a sweeping health care overhaul. Lawmakers on Sunday said they will not rush on a health care overhaul that isn't even in final form yet.

June 30th, 2009 Religious groups' radio ads back health overhaulWASHINGTON — Liberal-leaning religious groups are launching radio ads in five states this week in which local pastors urge senators to back efforts to overhaul the nation's health care system. In the ads, the religious leaders discuss the moral reasons for making health care more affordable.

June 28th, 2009 Axelrod expects Senate to tackle health care firstWASHINGTON — A top presidential adviser says it probably will be the fall before the Senate deals with a major climate change bill that just passed the House. White House aide David Axelrod says he thinks health care overhaul will be the first thing on senators' agenda.

June 12th, 2009 Business groups to meet to plot strategy on healthWASHINGTON — The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is convening business groups on Friday to plot strategy as alarm grows over the direction of Democratic health care overhaul proposals.

June 9th, 2009 Minority lawmakers to highlight health disparitiesWASHINGTON — Black, Latino and Asian lawmakers want President Barack Obama to focus more on racial disparities reported in medical treatment as the White House works toward overhauling the nation's health care system. Members of the Congressional Black Caucus sent Obama a letter last week calling for more attention to minority health problems.