Health

Presidential Heckling Quite Rare, Historian Says

South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson's interruption of President Obama's address to Congress Wednesday night was a rare instance of presidential heckling, but it was not the first. Historian Richard Norton Smith discusses past instances and the context.

Study: H1N1 Replicates, Spreads Faster Than Seasonal Flu

A new study released by University of Maryland researchers this month found that the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus may have a biological advantage over other seasonal flu viruses this winter.

Obama Says Time Is Now for Health Reform

By Lea Winerman

President Barack Obama sought to call Congress and the American public to action Wednesday night, in a prime-time speech aimed at resetting the terms of the debate over health care reform.

Full Text: GOP Response to Obama Reform Speech

Following is the text of Louisiana Rep. Charles Boustany's GOP response to President Obama's health reform address to a joint session of Congress Wednesday, as distributed to news organizations.

Full Text: Obama’s Health Reform Speech

Following is the text of President Barack Obama's speech to a joint session of Congress Wednesday, as prepared for delivery, released by the White House and distributed to news organizations.

President Prepares for Pivotal Health Care Speech

By Talea Miller

President Barack Obama will call Congress to a "season for action" on health care Wednesday night, urging lawmakers to set aside partisan gamesmanship in favor of drafting reform legislation, according to excerpts released by the White House.

Obama Aims to Recalibrate Public Debate in Speech to Congress

President Obama will speak on health care reform to a joint session of Congress Wednesday night. Health Affairs editor Susan Dentzer discusses the speech and the president's health care reform goals.

Baucus Floats Compromise Health Reform Bill

By Lea Winerman

Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., chair of the Senate Finance Committee, is urging his Republican colleagues on the committee to sign off on a compromise health care reform bill after months of negotiations.