Finance Committee adopts amendment to encourage innovative care of ailing seniors

October 5th, 2009 Senate committee vote slipsWASHINGTON — It's going to take a little longer for the last congressional committee writing health care legislation to finish its work. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus of Montana had hoped for a final vote by his panel on Tuesday, but a cost analysis from the Congressional Budget Office isn't ready yet.

October 2nd, 2009 Health care overhaul could raise Medicare Rx costsWASHINGTON — Medicare recipients could see higher premiums for prescription drug coverage as a result of changes to complex provisions in a Senate health care bill, a senior Republican said Friday. At issue are marching orders for a powerful new commission that would recommend annual Medicare savings to Congress.

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 25th, 2009 Senators to square off on public insurance planWASHINGTON — Advocates for a public insurance plan — the idea that has generated the most passion in the high-decibel health care debate — are pressing for a crucial test vote in the Senate Finance Committee. Democratic Sens.

September 24th, 2009 Showdown on gov't insurance expectedWASHINGTON — Two top Democrats say they'll offer proposals to create a government-sponsored health insurance plan to the Senate Finance Committee on Friday. Sens. Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia and Chuck Schumer of New York they expect the committee to take a roll call vote on the issue.

September 24th, 2009 Tensions on rise in health care debateWASHINGTON — Tempers are flaring as the Senate Finance Committee starts its third day of exhaustive deliberations on a sweeping overhaul of the health care system. Republican Sen.

September 24th, 2009 Democrats thwart GOP effort to delay health careWASHINGTON — Senators writing a health care overhaul bill have rejected a Republican amendment that could have put the sweeping measure on hold. Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah would have required expansion of coverage to the uninsured to be delayed if a million or more people who now have coverage wound up having to pay higher premiums as a result.

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 24th, 2009 Seniors' hopes, fears at center of health debateWASHINGTON — For the moment, the health care fight is all about older folks. Democrats agonized Thursday over how to soothe worried seniors but decided one idea was too risky because it could antagonize the powerful drug industry whose support is critically needed for President Barack Obama's broader overhaul.

September 22nd, 2009 Budget chief contradicts Obama on Medicare costsWASHINGTON — Congress' chief budget officer on Tuesday contradicted President Barack Obama's oft-stated claim that seniors wouldn't see their Medicare benefits cut under a health care overhaul. The head of the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, Douglas Elmendorf, told senators that seniors in Medicare's managed care plans could see reduced benefits under a bill in the Finance Committee.

September 16th, 2009 Details on costs of Baucus health care billA rundown of the new spending in Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus' health care overhaul bill, and a look at how it's paid for. The numbers are 10-year totals covering 2010-2019.

August 24th, 2009 Republicans offer seniors health 'bill of rights'WASHINGTON — Republicans are targeting older Americans worried about President Barack Obama's health overhaul plans with a "seniors' health care bill of rights." The six principles outlined Monday by the Republican National Committee include protecting Medicare, prohibiting rationing of health care based on age and making sure government doesn't get between seniors and their doctors. The Obama administration has insisted repeatedly that it doesn't want to shrink Medicare benefits, ration care or reduce the role of doctors.

August 11th, 2009 Obama seeks to reassure seniors on health carePORTSMOUTH, N.H. — President Barack Obama is seeking to reassure the nation's seniors that health care overhaul won't mean cuts in Medicare.

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.