Health care issues: A 'trigger' or 'fallback' plan as a compromise to public optionOctober 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.
Health care issues: What about a government-run single payer national health system?October 13th, 2009 Health care issues: A single-payer system?A look at key issues in the health care debate:
THE ISSUE: Should there be a government-run, single-payer national health care system?
THE POLITICS: A government-run health care system is attractive to many Democrats, who want access to health insurance for all, including about 45 million uninsured Americans. One proposal in Congress would establish a program to provide all people in the United States with free health care through a publicly financed but privately delivered system.
Health care issues: Paying for abortionsOctober 9th, 2009 Health care issues: Paying for abortionsA look at key issues in the health care debate:
THE ISSUE: Would new health care legislation allow abortions to be funded with tax money?
THE POLITICS: Abortion opponents say proposed government-sponsored health insurance plans would change federal policy by paying for abortions in many cases. For years, a restriction in the law that governs Medicaid — health insurance for the poor — has barred federal funding of abortions except in cases of rape, incest and danger to the mother's life.
Obama travels to Minneapolis on Saturday for rally by supporters of health care overhaulSeptember 12th, 2009 Obama to attend health care rallyWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is traveling to Minneapolis for a rally on health care reform. Minnesota is an example of where Obama wants the rest of the country to go on health care.
Health care issues: Government spendingSeptember 9th, 2009 Health care issues: Government spendingA look at key issues in the health care debate:
THE ISSUE: Can taxpayers afford new subsidies to provide health insurance for millions in such a weak economy?
THE POLITICS: With a comprehensive insurance policy averaging nearly $13,000 a year for a family, covering nearly 50 million uninsured doesn't come cheap. Estimates range from $100 billion to $150 billion a year.
Health care issues: The public insurance planSeptember 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.
Kerry says Kennedy would compromise on health care overhaul, but not yetAugust 30th, 2009 Kerry: Kennedy would compromise if necessaryWASHINGTON — A leading Democratic senator says the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy would have been ready to compromise on overhauling health care, but negotiations had not yet reached that point.
Obama targets insurance companies in health care town hall meeting in ColoradoAugust 16th, 2009 Obama targets insurance companies at Colo. meetingGRAND JUNCTION, Colo.
Obama targets insurance companies in health care town hall meeting.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.
Obama criticized 'scare tactics' of health care reform critics; targets insurance companiesAugust 16th, 2009 Obama criticizes 'scare tactics' in health debateGRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — President Barack Obama on Saturday criticized what he termed as the "scare tactics" of opponents to health care reform.
Shelby: Insurance co-ops worth looking at as alternative to idea of public optionAugust 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.
In pitch for health care overhaul, Obama says insurance companies holding Americans hostageAugust 14th, 2009 Obama assails health insurance companiesBELGRADE, Mont. — President Barack Obama says Americans are being held hostage by health insurance companies that deny coverage based on pre-existing conditions or cancel coverage when people get sick.
Obama: Canadian health care system works for Canada, wouldn't work for USAugust 10th, 2009 Obama: Canadian health system wouldn't fly in USGUADALAJARA, Mexico —President Barack Obama says Canada's government-run health care system works for Canada, but wouldn't work for the U.S. He warned Canadians that they will probably continue to get dragged into the debate over health care changes in the U.S.
Obama stepping up his push for health care overhaul with Rose Garden event todayJuly 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.
Durbin says Americans already paying 'hidden tax' for health care for the uninsuredJune 14th, 2009 Durbin: US already paying 'hidden' health taxesWASHINGTON — A top Democratic lawmaker says Americans are already paying a "hidden tax" to provide health care for the uninsured. The Illinois Democrat who is his party's No.