What's next on health care in the Senate, HouseOctober 28th, 2009 Looking ahead on the health care debateThe next steps for health care legislation:
In the House:
The Democratic leadership presented legislation Thursday after months of negotiations on merging three bills approved earlier this year by separate committees. The Congressional Budget Office will prepare an analysis of the cost, and Democratic leaders have the right to prepare an amendment relating to abortion and other issues.
Former Sen. Bob Dole bucks GOP leader's advice, says publicly that US needs health care reformOctober 7th, 2009 Dole bucks GOP advice, says health reform neededKANSAS CITY, Mo. — Former Republican presidential candidate Bob Dole says a top GOP leader asked him not to publicly support health care reform.
Health care issues: Medicare cutsOctober 6th, 2009 Health care issues: Medicare cutsA look at key issues in the health care debate:
THE ISSUE: Will seniors' Medicare benefits be slashed to pay for health care overhaul?
THE POLITICS: Democrats are proposing to reduce the ballooning costs of Medicare to keep the program solvent. They want to root out waste to find the savings, and to reduce payments to some providers.
GOP backing off scolding Democrat over 'die quickly' remark, says matter best left to votersOctober 6th, 2009 GOP backing off scolding Democrat over rhetoricWASHINGTON — House Republicans are backing off an effort to reprimand a Florida congressman for saying the GOP's health care plans amount to wanting sick people to "die quickly."
Republicans led by Rep. Tom Price of Georgia drafted a resolution last week scolding Democrat Alan Grayson for his remarks.
Health care issues: Using parliamentary maneuversSeptember 23rd, 2009 Health care issues: Using parliamentary maneuversA look at key issues in the health care debate:
THE ISSUE: If Senate Republicans continue to oppose Democratic plans to overhaul the nation's health care system, should majority Democrats employ a process called "reconciliation" to pass parts of it without Republican support?
THE POLITICS: Reconciliation is a procedure used to protect bills from being filibustered to death. It effectively lowers the threshold for Senate passage from 60 votes to a simple majority of 51.
Health care issues: What's the best treatment?September 16th, 2009 Health care issues: What's the best treatment?A look at key issues in the health care debate:
THE ISSUE: Researching which treatments work best and how much they cost, and how doctors and patients should use that information. THE POLITICS: On the surface, it seems like common sense: How different health conditions are treated — whether with surgery, drugs or managing diet and exercise, for example — should depend on what works best and costs least.
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.
Republicans target worried seniors with health 'bill of rights'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.
Democratic senator says splitting health care bill into separate measures unlikely to workAugust 23rd, 2009 Senator: Single health care bill a better approachWASHINGTON — A key Democrat in the health care debate says separating out the various issues and putting them in different bills isn't likely to work. Some lawmakers have suggested that a separate bill with changes that are supported by Republicans and Democrats would be one route toward progress on the health care overhaul.
With Congress away, Obama takes health care pitch on the road and via the InternetJuly 1st, 2009 Obama takes health care pitch to VirginiaWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is taking his pitch for health care revisions to Virginia, holding a town hall forum and fielding questions via the Internet. Congress will fully engage in the health care debate when it returns Monday from a one-week recess.
President Obama says he won't push health care plan on Congress, ready to hear other proposalsJune 11th, 2009 Obama: Cooperation with Hill needed on health careGREEN BAY, Wis. — President Barack Obama is vowing that he won't run roughshod over Congress in putting together legislation overhauling the country's health care system.
Minority lawmakers say health overhaul must help close gaps in minority health careJune 9th, 2009 Minority lawmakers want bill to close health gapsWASHINGTON — Black, Latino and Asian lawmakers warned Democratic leaders that any health care overhaul that ignores health gaps between whites and minorities will face stiff opposition. The lawmakers said they would be hard-pressed to support a bill without a new program providing access to health care for all Americans.
Minority lawmakers ask Obama to include minority health concerns in health care overhaulJune 9th, 2009 Minority lawmakers to highlight health disparitiesWASHINGTON — Black, Latino and Asian lawmakers want President Barack Obama to focus more on racial disparities reported in medical treatment as the White House works toward overhauling the nation's health care system. Members of the Congressional Black Caucus sent Obama a letter last week calling for more attention to minority health problems.
GOP polling shows Democrats more trusted on education, health, energyApril 30th, 2009 GOP poll shows Dems have advantage on key issuesWASHINGTON — Republicans are widely viewed by the public as less competent than Democrats to handle issue ranging from health care to education and energy, according to internal polling presented to top GOP officials in Congress. The same survey found President Barack Obama holds the support of a significant minority of self-described conservative, independent voters.
House Democrats press for speedy debate on Obama health care plan to fend off GOPApril 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.