Lawmaker health insurance costs at a glance

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 5th, 2009 Health care issues: Insurance market overhaulA look at key issues in the health care debate: THE ISSUE: Are changes in the insurance industry enough to fix problems in the nation's health care system? THE POLITICS: To help expand health coverage, President Barack Obama is seeking changes to underwriting practices that can prevent Americans from obtaining affordable insurance. His proposals would ban higher premiums, caps or denial of coverage because of a pre-existing medical condition or when a person gets sick.

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 22nd, 2009 Biden: Health care premium costs 'soaring'NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — Vice President Joe Biden told a gathering of state insurance regulators on Tuesday that "soaring" health care premiums are hurting families and businesses, underscoring the need for a health care overhaul.

September 13th, 2009 GOP senator: Public option on health care is deadWASHINGTON — A Republican lawmaker says it's clear to him that the White House is ready to abandon a government-run public health insurance option. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina says that President Barack Obama's address to Congress this past week was combative and showed little sign of compromise.

September 10th, 2009 State-by-state glance of those insuredHere is a list of the percentage of insured people by type and state in 2008. The private insurance category includes both employer-sponsored and directly purchased plans; the government category includes Medicaid, Medicare and military plans.

September 9th, 2009 A look at the points in Obama's speechA look at key points in Obama's health care speech: —Individuals would be required to carry basic health insurance. Those who can't afford it would get a hardship waiver.

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 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.

July 7th, 2009 A glance at Obama's overseas itineraryA glance at President Barack Obama's itinerary for his overseas trip: FRIDAY, JULY 10, IN ITALY — Attends G-8 breakfast with African countries. — Attends G-8 session with African countries.

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 Conrad says gov't insurance plan short of supportWASHINGTON — The Democrat who heads the Senate Budget Committee says he doubts there are enough votes in the Senate to support President Barack Obama's plan for a government health insurance option. Sen. Kent Conrad of North Dakota says that there are good arguments for the proposal but probably not the votes it needs in the Senate.

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.

June 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.

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.