Even with government aid, middle class would still pay thousands for health insurance

October 25th, 2009 Schumer: Public option near votes needed to passWASHINGTON — A key Democratic senator says he believes Democrats are close to the 60 votes they need to advance a health care bill that includes a new program for government-backed health insurance. Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York says he thinks a public option plan will be in the Senate bill.

October 15th, 2009 Health care issues: A premium cost generation gapA look at key issues in the health care debate: THE ISSUE: Should older Americans have to pay higher insurance premiums than younger Americans? THE POLITICS: The double-edged sword of the health care debate is the so-called age gap in insurance premiums. Americans between the ages of 50 and 65 who purchase their own insurance typically pay much higher premiums than younger people.

October 15th, 2009 14 charged in NYC protest at health insurer officeNEW YORK — New York City police say 14 demonstrators were arrested on criminal trespass charges during a sit-in inside a midtown Manhattan building where insurance giant United Health Group has offices. Demonstrations against large private health insurance firms Thursday were also held in Washington, D.C.; Cleveland; Phoenix; Palm Beach, Fla.; Boston; Reno, Nev.; Portland, Ore.; and Los Angeles.

September 30th, 2009 Health care issues: Insurance cooperativesA look at key issues in the health care debate: THE ISSUE: Are consumer-run co-ops a realistic alternative to a new government-run insurance option? THE POLITICS: The Democratic push for a government-run insurance plan to compete in the marketplace is running into brisk resistance in Congress. As a possible compromise, some lawmakers have proposed establishing nonprofit insurance co-ops instead of a public plan.

September 30th, 2009 Public plan goes down in Senate Finance CommitteeWASHINGTON — The Senate Finance Committee has voted against creating a new government health insurance plan to compete with the private market. The 15-to-8 vote could forecast the fate of the public option in the Senate as a whole.

September 17th, 2009 Dems attack proposed new tax on insurance plansWASHINGTON — A proposed tax on high-value health insurance policies is sparking widespread opposition from congressional Democrats who fear it would hit middle-class workers like coal miners in West Virginia. The opposition sprang up Thursday, a day after Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus proposed the tax to pay for his health overhaul bill.

September 8th, 2009 Health care issues: The public insurance planA look at key issues in the health care debate: THE ISSUE: Should Americans have the option of getting health insurance from a government plan that competes with private companies? THE POLITICS: Many Democrats want to do away with private insurance and replace it with something resembling Medicare coverage for all, but that's not politically feasible. Offering the choice of a government insurance plan was a compromise within the Democratic Party.

August 18th, 2009 Liberals push for public health insurance planWASHINGTON — Congressional liberals are telling the Obama administration that a health overhaul bill cannot pass unless it includes a new government-run insurance option. The Congressional Progressive Caucus, made up of more than 80 liberal House members, wrote to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius expressing opposition to her weekend comments suggesting a public option was not essential to a health overhaul.

August 16th, 2009 Obama targets insurance companies.GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — President Barack Obama on Saturday criticized what he termed as the "scare tactics" of opponents to health care reform.

August 16th, 2009 Shelby: Insurance co-ops worth looking atWASHINGTON — A Republican senator says a potential administration shift from a government-run health insurance to a privately run cooperative is something that opponents like him should consider. Alabama's Richard Shelby is a vocal opponent of the health care overhaul proposed by President Barack Obama.

August 16th, 2009 Sebelius: Public insurance option not essentialWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama's health secretary is suggesting the White House is ready to accept nonprofit insurance cooperatives instead of a government-run public option in a health overhaul plan. A Republican senator says that is worth looking at.

August 14th, 2009 Obama says he's not trying to vilify insurersBELGRADE, Mont. — President Barack Obama says he isn't trying to vilify the insurance companies.

July 5th, 2009 Senators say compromise key to health care billWASHINGTON — It will take a compromise on a government option for insurance if the Senate is to agree on a health care overall before next month's break, two senators said Sunday. President Barack Obama is pushing for an Aug.

June 14th, 2009 Sebelius says Obama plan would lower health costsWASHINGTON — Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius says the government health insurance plan proposed by the Obama administration would increase competition and drive down costs. Sebelius says President Barack Obama does not want to dismantle privately owned plans and does not want the 180 million people who have employer coverage to lose their insurance.

May 11th, 2009 Specter open to public health planWASHINGTON — Sen. Arlen Specter says he's open to a government health insurance plan that would compete with private insurers to cover middle-class Americans, a policy reversal for the newest Democrat.