Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd has decided to stay at the helm of the Banking Committee. Dodd was the next-most-senior senator on the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee after Ted Kennedy – whose desk remains shrouded in black on the Senate floor and adourned with flowers as colleagues mourn his passing. Dodd could’ve …
Health Care
Pelosi’s Box
Forget the Senate, here’s a story from me about what’s going on in the House on health care. House leaders have pulled back from their once-aggressive schedule. “I have no timetable” for passage of a bill, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer told reporters yesterday. While eschewing the idea that they would wait for the Senate to …
The Baucus Health Care Proposal
Ezra has it here.
What the Public Option Actually Does
If conservatives seem ridiculously hyperbolic about what the public option does and does not do–it does not, for example, increase costs (it could decrease them) or mean a government takeover of health care–some progressives have been a bit confused about what a public option might actually accomplish. Here’s Ezra Klein, who has …
When Health Insurance Isn’t Health Insurance (Cont’d.)
There’s a depressing sameness to them, but these kinds of stories can’t be told often enough. Today, the Washington Post has a front-page look at yet another:
Health Care: The Public Option Fallback
Maine Senator Olympia Snowe’s idea of creating a public option as only a fallback if private insurance companies fail to produce genuine competition seems to be gaining currency at both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue at the moment. Today’s Washington Post has new details on how a “trigger” would work:
Health Reform: How Much Help Will People Need?
We are in the season of high drama where everyone–understandably–is focused on the politics of getting health legislation done. But it’s important not to take our eyes off the substance of what is being talked about as well. That’s why Jordan Rau’s story today on Kaiser Health News is so important. It takes a look at one of the …
Re: Health Care: Hitting the Re-Set Button
Following up on Karen’s excellent post on President Obama forthcoming address to a joint session of Congress on health care reform. Obama has always fallen back on his rhetorical gifts – and, generally, it has worked, even when Rev. Wright looked to doom his campaign. Next Wednesday he will again give what will surely be an inspirational …
We Knew It Was Ugly Out There…
But not THIS ugly.
This in from the AP:
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – California authorities say a clash between opponents and supporters of health care reform ended with one man biting off another man’s finger.
Ventura County Sheriff’s Capt. Frank O’Hanlon says about 100 people demonstrating in favor of health care reforms
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Bipartisan Health Care Talks Push On
Just when you thought the vultures had landed on a bipartisan health care deal, seems the three GOP senators haven’t totally walked away from the table. First, there was the news this morning on Olympia Snowe’s talks with the White House on a compromise and then Mike Enzi put out this statement:
“My position has been consistent from
…
How to Pay for Health Care
I just had a thought: With the Republicans pretty much out of the health care picture now–although one or two (the women from Maine) will be necessary to get the President’s proposals past the Senate–Barack Obamais free to reconsider how he’d pay for the expansion of coverage. That was an aspect of the bill that had become ridiculously …
Grassley: The One Who Got Away
If there had ever been any hope for real GOP support for President Obama’s health care plan, it came in the form of Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley, who has been negotiating behind the scenes for months with his good friend Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus. But was getting Grassley on board ever a realistic proposition? And what does …
Health Care: Hitting the Re-Set Button
Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Harry Reid have now formally requested President Obama to address a joint session of Congress:
Our nation is closer than ever to achieving health insurance reform that will lower costs, retain choice, improve quality and expand coverage. We are committed to reaching this goal.
We would
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