Conservative House Dem says health care talks break off between his group and leadership

September 4th, 2009 Obama talks to House liberals about health careWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama discussed health care in a conference call with House members, including liberals wary of his next move on the issue. Obama, who is at Camp David, spoke to leaders of the Congressional Progressive Caucus on Friday.

August 19th, 2009 Bipartisan health talks to continue by phoneWASHINGTON — A key Democratic committee chairman involved in talks on a compromise health care plan said Wednesday they are on track to reach agreement. A spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said he'd prefer a bipartisan deal but "patience is not unlimited." Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., said his group of three Democrats and three Republicans "is on track to reach a bipartisan agreement on comprehensive health care reform" that can pass a divided Senate.

August 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.

August 6th, 2009 White House: Health care meeting not a negotiationWASHINGTON — The White House says President Barack Obama's meeting with a bipartisan group of senators on health care reform wasn't a "negotiating session" but simply a chance for him to get an update. Obama met Thursday with six members from the Finance Committee: Max Baucus of Montana, and Kent Conrad of North Dakota, Jeff Bingaman of New Mexico, Chuck Grassley of Iowa, Olympia Snowe of Maine and Mike Enzi of Wyoming.

August 3rd, 2009 Dems vow health bill with or without RepublicansWASHINGTON — Frustrated with the pace of bipartisan talks, Democratic leaders on Monday promised to push a sweeping health care bill through the Senate whether they get Republican support or not. Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., the third-ranking Senate Democrat, raised the prospect of the leadership crafting a bill to Democratic specifications and using a rare legislative procedure to expedite legislation fulfilling President Barack Obama's top domestic priority.

July 31st, 2009 Abortion measure passes, then fails, in HouseWASHINGTON — An anti-abortion amendment to a sweeping health overhaul bill was voted down in a House committee late Thursday — a dramatic reversal just hours after the measure initially was approved. The amendment said health care legislation moving through Congress may not impose requirements for coverage of abortion, except in limited cases.

July 30th, 2009 GOP senator says health care bill not readyWASHINGTON — A key Republican senator involved in bipartisan talks on health care says there's no way a breakthrough will happen before lawmakers' August recess. Wyoming Sen.

July 29th, 2009 No floor vote in House on health care until Sept.WASHINGTON — Democrats say the full House won't vote on sweeping health care legislation until September. It's part of a three-way deal between conservative Democrats, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the White House.

July 24th, 2009 Hoyer suggests delay in House vote on health careWASHINGTON — The second-ranking Democrat in the House says lawmakers may not be able to vote on a health care bill next week but might remain in Washington in August to complete President Barack Obama's top domestic priority. Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland told lawmakers Friday that it might not be possible to finish the legislation, now bogged down in the Energy and Commerce Committee.

July 21st, 2009 Senior Democrat says no consensus on health billWASHINGTON — House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer says House Democrats are struggling to reach consensus on overhauling health care, a divide that could delay House approval of a plan beyond lawmakers' scheduled vacation in August. House leaders have said they wanted to pass a plan before they leave on a monthlong break.

July 21st, 2009 Budget chief: Docs fees not paid for in Obama billWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama's pledge to make sure health care legislation is fully paid for excludes $245 billion to raise fees for doctors treating Medicare patients, a senior administration official said Tuesday. Peter Orszag, the budget director, said the administration always had assumed the money would be spent to prevent a cut of more than 20 percent in doctor fees that is scheduled to take effect.

July 17th, 2009 Obama quickly plans health care statementWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama has quickly scheduled a statement on health care for Friday afternoon as concerns rise about the cost of new legislation. Obama wants to sign a bill into law this year that would slow the rate of health care spending and expand health coverage to the millions of people who lack it.

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.

May 11th, 2009 Obama's Day: Health care, basketballWASHINGTON — Reforming the health care system to make it affordable for all Americans is one of President Barack Obama's top priorities. Obama plans to talk Monday about a health care industry offer of $2 trillion in spending reductions over 10 years to help pay for the program.

April 23rd, 2009 Democrats want speedy health care debateWASHINGTON — Democrats controlling the House went on record again Wednesday in favor of advancing health care legislation while allowing only limited debate, which would minimize the ability of Republicans to wrest concessions on one of President Barack Obama's top domestic priorities. By a 227-196 vote, the House affirmed Democrats' plans to move health care legislation under rules that block Republicans in the Senate from being able to slow — or even stop — it from proceeding.