What’s next on health care in the Senate, House

October 21st, 2009 Health insurers may lose antitrust exemptionWASHINGTON — A House committee has voted to strip the health insurance industry of its exemption from federal antitrust laws as senators announced plans to take the same step. The moves Wednesday signaled a growing determination by Democrats to punish the insurance industry for its criticism of President Barack Obama's health care overhaul agenda.

October 21st, 2009 House committee votes against antitrust protectionWASHINGTON — A House committee has voted to strip the health insurance industry of its exemption from federal antitrust laws as senators announced plans to take the same step. The moves Wednesday signaled a growing determination by Democrats to punish the insurance industry for its criticism of President Barack Obama's health care overhaul agenda.

October 13th, 2009 Obama: Senate panel OK 'critical milestone'WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says passage of legislation by a key Senate committee is "a critical milestone" toward getting a health care overhaul this year, but that "now is not the time to pat ourselves on the back." Obama spoke in the Rose Garden on Tuesday about two hours after the Senate Finance Committee approved its version of health care reform. Obama praised the bill but didn't endorse it over the others that have passed other committees.

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.

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 White House: Senate health bill a 'building block'WASHINGTON — The White House says a health care reform bill from a key Senate committee is "an important building block" in getting closer to comprehensive health care reform. Sen. Max Baucus released the long-awaited version of the bill from his Senate Finance committee Wednesday.

August 19th, 2009 White House: Obama would go to moon for his goalWASHINGTON — How far is President Barack Obama willing to go for a deal on overhauling the health care system? Try all the way to the moon. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs joked Wednesday that Obama would orbit the moon if he thought it would help get a deal on a bill Congress can vote on after it returns from summer break.

August 5th, 2009 Obama promises health care overhaul this yearWAKARUSA, Ind. — President Barack Obama promised Wednesday that there will be an overhaul of the health care system before the end of the year and said it doesn't have to be a bipartisan effort.

August 4th, 2009 Reid: Democratic senators united on health careWASHINGTON — Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says his party's caucus has "absolute unity" on the need to pass health care reform this year. The Nevadan, joined by other lawmakers, spoke to reporters Tuesday afternoon on a White House driveway after Senate Democrats met over lunch with President Barack Obama.

August 4th, 2009 WASHINGTON - US President Barack Obama turned 48 Tuesday and plans to spend part of his birthday meeting with the 58 Democrats in the Senate to push his health care plan. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Obama will discuss health care and the economy during the meeting.

August 4th, 2009 Obama meets with Senate Dems to discuss agendaWASHINGTON — Facing growing public doubts about overhauling health care, President Barack Obama meets with Senate Democrats on Tuesday to discuss his priorities. Tuesday is also Obama's 48th birthday.

July 15th, 2009 Obama praises progress on health care overhaulWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says his administration will push through an overhaul of the nation's health care system and is urging Congress to finish the work before leaving for an August recess. Obama on Wednesday praised House and Senate versions of a bill to expand health care coverage to millions of Americans.

July 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.

July 12th, 2009 Sebelius: All options on table for health planWASHINGTON — Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius says the administration wants a health care overhaul this year but is still leaving the details to Congress. Sebelius said on Sunday that a health care overhaul "needs to be owned by the House and the Senate" and won't be dictated by President Barack Obama.

June 28th, 2009 Axelrod expects Senate to tackle health care firstWASHINGTON — A top presidential adviser says it probably will be the fall before the Senate deals with a major climate change bill that just passed the House. White House aide David Axelrod says he thinks health care overhaul will be the first thing on senators' agenda.