Reid: Democratic senators united on need for health care bill this, aiming for bipartisanship

October 14th, 2009 Democrats favor repealing exemption for insurersWASHINGTON — Frustrated with health insurers, Democratic lawmakers are calling for revoking the industry's antitrust exemption. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid told the Judiciary Committee on Wednesday that the health insurance industry wants to continue the monopoly that it enjoys in some states.

October 8th, 2009 After long debate, health care Senate vote TuesdayWASHINGTON — The top Senate Democrat says the final committee vote on health care legislation will take place next week. Nevada Democratic Sen.

October 5th, 2009 Dem leader faces tough job in crafting health billWASHINGTON — Forget mission accomplished. Try mission seemingly impossible.

September 16th, 2009 Singer Paul Simon urges health care reformWASHINGTON — Singer-songwriter Paul Simon tried to lend a little harmony to the raucous health care debate Wednesday by pushing for a health care overhaul with Democratic leaders of Congress. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid couldn't resist musical references in the appearance with the popular performer who advocates improving health care for children.

September 16th, 2009 Baucus calls health care bill commonsense measureWASHINGTON — A prominent Democratic senator is calling his 10-year, $856 billion health care bill a common sense measure that can win broad support. Sen. Max Baucus, chairman of the Finance Committee, unveiled his much-awaited legislation Wednesday after months of bipartisan negotiations that failed to win visible Republican support.

August 27th, 2009 Reid backs interim appointment for Kennedy's seatWASHINGTON — Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says he backs a change in Massachusetts law to allow the governor to appoint a temporary replacement for the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy's seat.

August 26th, 2009 Reid: Senate has 'lost its patriarch'WASHINGTON — Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid says both the Kennedy family and the Senate have "lost our patriarch" with the death of Massachusetts Sen. Edward M. Kennedy. Kennedy died late Tuesday after battling a brain tumor.

August 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.

August 23rd, 2009 Talk of Senate voting maneuvers on health careWASHINGTON — A Republican senator predicts Democrats will turn to a little-used voting procedure to try get around GOP opposition and pass health care legislation. It takes 60 votes to shut down GOP opposition and move ahead to an up-or-down vote on a bill.

August 21st, 2009 Snowe: Challenge to break through 'chatter'WASHINGTON — Bipartisan health care negotiators are aiming to cut the costs of their bill after getting an earful from voters, a participant in the closed-door talks said Friday. Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, a moderate whose support could be crucial if President Barack Obama is to realize his goal of a comprehensive health care overhaul, said contact with constituents "sharpened our focus on issues such as affordability and cost." "We keep reinventing the wheel in terms of our approach based on what we learn at home," Snowe told The Associated Press.

August 21st, 2009 Senate negotiators aim to cut costs in health billWASHINGTON — Bipartisan health care negotiators are aiming to cut the costs of their bill after getting an earful from voters, a participant in the closed-door talks said Friday. Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, a moderate whose support could be crucial if President Barack Obama is to realize his goal of a comprehensive health care overhaul, said contact with constituents "sharpened our focus on issues such as affordability and cost." "We keep reinventing the wheel in terms of our approach based on what we learn at home," Snowe told The Associated Press.

August 19th, 2009 Bipartisan health talks to continue by phoneWASHINGTON — A key Democratic committee chairman involved in talks on a compromise health care plan said Wednesday they are on track to reach agreement. A spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said he'd prefer a bipartisan deal but "patience is not unlimited." Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., said his group of three Democrats and three Republicans "is on track to reach a bipartisan agreement on comprehensive health care reform" that can pass a divided Senate.

August 4th, 2009 Obama and allies brace for health care showdownWASHINGTON — Bracing for an August showdown over health care reform, Senate Democrats and President Barack Obama declared themselves united Tuesday on their determination to enact a historic overhaul this year — ideally with Republican cooperation but without if necessary. With his top domestic priority hanging in the balance, Obama summoned Senate Democrats to the White House for a luncheon cheerleading session on health care and other pending issues.

July 29th, 2009 Health care onus on Westerners Baucus, ReidWASHINGTON — If there is a chance for health care overhaul it most likely exists in the politically charged space between a marathon runner from Montana and a former amateur boxer from Nevada, two Senate Democrats who occasionally sound like Republicans. For better or worse, the burden to design a plan that provides health insurance to every American who seeks it without adding to the deficit — and that can get 60 votes in the Senate — is falling on Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus and Majority Leader Harry Reid.

July 29th, 2009 Westerners Baucus, Reid key to health care hopesWASHINGTON — If there is a chance for health care overhaul it most likely exists in the politically charged space between a marathon runner from Montana and a former amateur boxer from Nevada, two Senate Democrats who occasionally sound like Republicans. For better or worse, the burden to design a plan that provides health insurance to every American who seeks it without adding to the deficit — and that can get 60 votes in the Senate — is falling on Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus and Majority Leader Harry Reid.