healthcare

Health Bill Revives Abortion Groups

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:03:23 -0500

by David D. Kirkpatrick

WASHINGTON - Lobbying over abortion was turning into a sleepy business. But the health care debate has brought a new boom, and both sides are exploiting it with fund-raising appeals.

"The reaction has been phenomenal, like a match dropped on dry kindling," said Cecile Richards, president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America.

It’s Harry Reid’s Choice: Reconciliation = Majority Rule

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:23:41 -0500

by Jane Hamsher

As the majority leader of the Senate, the power to pass a public option is squarely in Harry Reid's hands. Will he let three or four corrupt Senators owned by the insurance industry hold the public option hostage? Or will he use the reconciliation process to allow a simple, democratic majority rule?

Before You Carve that Turkey: All In for Bernie Sanders

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 09:59:35 -0500

by Donna Smith

Those millions of us who support a Medicare for All, single-payer, reform for the healthcare crisis in this nation have some work to do over the next few days. Senators are on their way to their home states for the one-week Thanksgiving recess - and they need a little up close and personal constituent attention before dinnertime on Thursday.

Health Care, Essential to Democracy

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:29:40 -0500

by Katie Robbins & Andy Coates

Two weekends ago, after the bait and switch of a vote on single-payer for a vote on an anti-abortion amendment, we felt wizened to the possibility of unknown threats in the legislative churn on health reform. As insurance and pharmaceutical companies, Catholic bishops, and the right wing throw in dollars, lobbyists, and pressure for no votes on the final bill, it is clear we who are in the business of protecting and improving our rights to access to health care, including abortion, must remain vigilant and ready to challenge these threats.

Senate Dems Close in on Reform: Details of Health Care Bill Revealed

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:15:45 -0500

by Ryan Grim

Senate Democrats have posted the legislation on their web site.

Senate Democrats made a big step toward comprehensive health care reform Wednesday night as Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) unveiled a bill that merges the two plans that passed the health and finance committees.

With the House having already passed its own bill, Congress is now closer to achieving health care reform than it has ever been in the six decades that Democrats have pursued it.

Tiny Tims and Our Nation's Healthcare Scrooges

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:23:44 -0500

by Donna Smith

Some Americans will schlep into a local theater to check out Disney's latest 3-D version of "A Christmas Carol." They'll gather up the kids and worry about whether or not it's appropriate viewing or a little too scary for the wee ones.

Other Americans are planning holiday travel and bemoaning the tribulations they'll face in airports or at shopping centers as they buy their way through the traditions of the season.

Let Them Eat Zoloft

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:24:15 -0500

by James Ridgeway

As the Senate takes up health care reform, we're sure to be treated to yet more scenes of our elected officials bending over backwards to kiss the gold-plated butts of the pharmaceutical and insurance industries. So far, just about every new turn in the health care battle is confirming what many have known for some time: The US health care system is run largely for the benefit of these corporate giants, rather than for the American people, and no piece of legislation is likely to change that fact.

Senate Democrats Plan to Unveil Healthcare Bill

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:16:23 -0500

WASHINGTON - Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid prepared to unveil long-awaited healthcare overhaul legislation on Wednesday, with the first test vote on the package expected by the end of the week.

The healthcare reform bill, President Barack Obama's top domestic priority, has been delayed in the Senate for weeks as Reid waited for cost estimates and searched for an approach that can win the 60 votes needed to overcome Republican procedural hurdles.

Obama’s Bad Case Against Single Payer

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:34:45 -0500

by Alan Nasser

The Obama administration has broadened the scope of what it wants to dismiss as unrealistic, utopian and unpragmatic, i.e. as for all practical purposes impossible. These claims have typically been accompanied by the assurance that “This is not something that Americans would go for – it’s not the American way.” Obama’s case against a single payer health care system is a conspicuous case in point. His position on this issue features weak arguments and serious factual errors.

The Alleged Impossibility of Universal Health Care

Senate Liberals Press Reid on Public Option

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:42:14 -0500

by Carrie Budoff Brown

As Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) aims this week to secure the votes of moderate Democrats on health care reform, a group of liberal senators Monday warned him not to abandon the public insurance option.

Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), who requested the meeting with Reid, said progressives believe they have compromised enough on the public option - from a Medicare-for-all proposal to Reid's proposal to create a national government plan with a provision for states to opt-out.