As lawmakers focus on divisive policy issues, Democrats' health bills leave gaps WASHINGTON (AP) - For consumers, the health care bills taking final shape in Congress don't rate close to a perfect 10. ...more

November 24, 2009

For consumers, the health care bills taking final shape in Congress don't rate close to a perfect 10. ...more

November 23, 2009

Moderate Senate Democrats threatened today to scuttle health-care legislation if their demands aren't met, while more liberal members warned their party leaders not to bend. ...more

November 22, 2009

WASHINGTON (AP) - Abortion opponents in the Senate are seeking tough restrictions in the health care overhaul bill, a move that could roil a shaky Democratic effort to pass President Barack Obama's signature issue by year's end. ...more

November 9, 2009

Voters' memo to politicians: We're angry and fearful, mostly about jobs and the economy. We want tangible solutions, not partisan bickering or intraparty spats. And we'll vote either party out of office if we don't think you're listening. ...more

November 5, 2009

Senate Democrats voiced deep disagreements Tuesday about the idea of a government-run health insurance plan, suggesting that the decision by Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada to include a public plan in major health care legislation had failed to unite his caucus. ...more

October 28, 2009

WASHINGTON (AP) —Businesses would not be required to provide health insurance under legislation being readied for Senate debate, but large firms would owe significant penalties if any worker needed government subsidies to buy coverage on their own, according to Democratic officials familiar with talks on the bill. ...more

October 25, 2009

There are 18 states, as columnist Mark Shields recently pointed out to me, that have gone Democratic in each of the last five presidential elections. Of the 36 senators who represent those states, only two are Republicans. Both are from Maine, one of the last, storm-lashed, surf-pounded footholds of the Yankee GOP. So it is hardly shocking that the lone Republican supporter of Democratic health reform on the Senate Finance Committee should be Maine's Olympia Snowe. ...more

October 21, 2009

In a springtime show of unity, congressional Democrats welcomed President Barack Obama to the Capitol Wednesday and unveiled budget blueprints that embrace his key priorities and point the way for major legislation this year on health care, energy and education. ...more

March 25, 2009

The White House sought today to stress the positive in a looming fight with Congress over a $3.6 trillion budget, saying blueprints put forth by Democratic allies in both chambers hew closely to President Barack Obama's priorities. ...more

March 25, 2009