Jul 17 Watch Obama Calls for Action on Health Care Amid Cost Concerns Saying "now we've got to get over the finish line," President Barack Obama renewed his call Friday to lawmakers to hammer out health care reform legislation. Betty Ann Bowser recaps the week's developments, including new concerns on the plan's costs. Continue watching
Jul 16 CBO, Democrats Spar Over Cost of Health Care Reform Legislation By PBS News Hour Democratic leaders in Congress clashed Thursday with Congressional Budget Office director Doug Elmendorf over his statement that the legislation coming out of the House and Senate this week would significantly raise federal spending on health care. Continue reading
Jul 15 Senate Committee Approves Health Reform Legislation By PBS News Hour Health care reform gained some momentum in the Senate Wednesday as the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions passed legislation that would require all Americans to obtain health insurance. Continue reading
Jul 15 Watch Lawmakers Grapple With Costs of Health Care Reform As health care reform legislation moves forward, lawmakers are grappling with the thorny question of how to cover the costs of such an overhaul, including a possible new tax surcharge on the wealthy. Two analysts discuss the issue. Continue watching
Jul 15 Acclaimed Conductor and Wife End Lives Together in Assisted Suicide British conductor Sir Edward Downes ended his life last week at the age of 85, alongside his wife Joan, 74, in Switzerland. He had not been ill (though his daughter reported he was nearly blind and deaf), but Lady Downes… Continue reading
Jul 14 Watch House Democrats Unveil Plan to Overhaul Health Care House Democrats on Tuesday unveiled their proposal to overhaul the nation's health care system. The plan includes a government-run insurance option, and would be paid for in part by a tax increase on the wealthy. NPR's Julie Rovner explains the… Continue watching
Jul 14 House Democrats Unveil Health Care Reform Legislation By PBS News Hour House leaders on Tuesday unveiled a draft of a sweeping health care reform bill that require Americans to buy affordable insurance, raise taxes on the wealthy to pay for reform and require employers to provide insurance or pay a penalty. Continue reading
Jul 14 Literary Voices Reflect on Health Care By Arts Desk Some popular writers have turned up in an unexpected place: Health Affairs. The contributions are a part of the 10th anniversary of "Narrative Matters," a feature that maintains that health-policy debate must have room for the experiences of regular people. Continue reading
Jul 10 Health Care Reform Faces Resistance from Republicans, Democrats in Congress By PBS News Hour President Barack Obama reiterated his goal of signing health care legislation by October this week, but his plans are facing resistance from members of his own party in Congress. NewsHour Health Correspondent Betty Ann Bowser recaps the week's news. Continue reading
Jul 09 U.S. Government to Fund H1N1 Vaccinations By PBS News Hour The U.S. government plans to fund a vaccination program against the new H1N1 swine flu this fall, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said Thursday. Continue reading