GOP senators on key committee underscore opposition to public plan

October 14th, 2009 Health care issues: The 'trigger' public planA look at key issues in the health care debate: THE ISSUE: Would a so-called "trigger" or "fallback" public plan win enough votes to get some sort of government-run insurance option in any health care legislation Congress may pass? THE POLITICS: The trigger option is seen as a possible compromise that would replace the idea of allowing the government to sell insurance in competition with private insurance. Many Democrats want the so-called public option but Republicans oppose it.

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.

August 25th, 2009 Alaska senator hosting climate-change tourANCHORAGE, Alaska — Sen. Mark Begich says he'll host four other senators on a "climate change" tour this weekend in Alaska.

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 30th, 2009 Senate health panel readies gov't insurance optionWASHINGTON — Senators on a key committee are putting the finishing touches on a government health insurance option that they hope will win broad support among Democrats and the public. According to a draft summary circulating Tuesday, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee proposal calls for a nationwide plan to be run by the federal government.

June 22nd, 2009 THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - The opposition in Kerala, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), Monday said it will appoint a committee to prepare a development road map for the state. The plan will be presented to a meeting of all 20 MPs of the state, including six central ministers, Aug 7.

June 18th, 2009 Delays, disputes slow progress of health care billWASHINGTON — Delays and disputes bogged down a Senate panel considering the details of remaking the nation's $2.5 trillion health care system. The first formal drafting and voting session on Sen.

June 8th, 2009 GOP senators warn Obama on health careWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is making a mistake on health care by insisting on a government insurance option for the middle class, influential Republicans said in a letter to the White House released Monday. It could cost him chances for broad support across the political divide, the nine lawmakers, all members of the Senate Finance Committee, warned.

June 5th, 2009 Public plan threatens bipartisan health dealWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama's hopes for a bipartisan health deal seemed in jeopardy Thursday as GOP senators protested his renewed support for a new public health insurance plan, and a key Democratic chairman declared that such a plan would likely be in the Senate's bill. A public plan that would compete with private insurers is opposed by nearly all Republicans.

June 4th, 2009 GOP senators: Bipartisan health deal tougher nowWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama's hopes for a bipartisan health deal took a hit Thursday as GOP senators protested a letter he wrote declaring support for a public insurance plan. Such a plan would compete with private insurers and is opposed by nearly all Republicans.

June 3rd, 2009 Obama said to be open to taxing health benefitsWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is leaving the door open to taxing health care benefits, something he campaigned hard against while running for president, according to senators who met with him Tuesday. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., raised the issue with Obama during a private meeting with the president and other Democratic senators and later reported the president's position: "It's on the table.

May 14th, 2009 Health insurance from Uncle Sam gets a lookWASHINGTON — Look out Aetna, Humana and UnitedHealthcare. Senators are meeting behind closed doors to consider whether the federal government should jump into the health insurance business.

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.

May 9th, 2009 Sources: Senators weigh 3 government health plansWASHINGTON — Senators are considering three different designs for a new government health insurance plan that middle-income Americans could buy into for the first time, congressional officials said Friday. Officials familiar with the proposals said senators plan to debate them in a closed meeting next week.

May 9th, 2009 AP sources: 3 options mulled for gov't health planWASHINGTON — Senators are considering three different designs for a new government health insurance plan that middle-income Americans could buy into for the first time, congressional officials said Friday. Officials familiar with the proposals said senators plan to debate them in a closed meeting next week.