Oct 06 Can you explain, simply, what a credit default swap is? Question/Comment: Can you explain, simply, what a credit default swap is? Paul Solman: I sure hope so. Basically, a credit default swap or “CDS” is an insurance contract to protect against bankruptcy. Say… Continue reading
Sep 26 Watch House Lawmakers Divided Over Scope of Government Intervention Congressional leaders are showing signs of fatigue and frustration over continuing negotiations. Reps. Barney Frank and Mike Pence discuss the progress towards a workable plan. Continue watching
Sep 26 Watch Kwame Holman Reports on Financial Woes Preceding Debates Lawmakers have not been able to agree on a plan with the White House, nor with each other, choosing not to enact a bill for the near future. NewsHour correspondent Kwame Holman discusses the dealings on Capitol Hill. Continue watching
Sep 17 Watch Government’s Rescue of AIG Fails to Calm Nervous Investors The government's bailout of AIG failed to boost stock markets Wednesday, with the Dow dropping more than 400 points. Economic analysts examine the government's decision to aid the insurer and the state of financial woes. Continue watching
Sep 17 Watch Government Decides to Offer $85B Lifeline to AIG Insurer American International Group, Inc. faced possible collapse until the federal government decided to offer it an $85 billion lifeline Wednesday. After a look at the latest troubles on Wall Street, financial reporters detail the government bailout. Continue watching
Jul 23 The Health Care Debate: Eliminate the for-profit middle man and all is solved? By Business Desk Question/Comment: When the NewsHour does segments on health care, I would love for you or any of the staff to ask the health care administrators, economists and especially the politicians why people support a health care system that requires… Continue reading
May 01 Watch Polls Show Tight Democratic Race, Waning GOP Support New polls reveal a tightening race between Democratic presidential hopefuls Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton tied while public support for GOP showed a sharp drop. Pollsters and reporters from the Pew Research Center and the Wall Street Journal examine the… Continue watching
Apr 28 Watch Mass. Health Care Plan Praised, But Struggles With Cost Massachusetts' universal coverage plan has helped thousands of the state's residents gain health care -- but critics remain wary of the high costs of the program, both expected and unexpected. Susan Dentzer reports on how the Bay State is faring… Continue watching
Apr 25 Watch Senate Votes to Prevent Genetic Discrimination in the Workplace As research of preventative genetic testing increases, many fear the impact this information can have on employment and health-insurance practices -- leading the Senate to vote Thursday to ban genetic-based discrimination. An expert on genetics examines the issue. Continue watching
Feb 12 Watch Billionaire Buffett Offers to Help Insure Municipal Bonds Billionaire investor Warren Buffett announced Tuesday that he would help shore up three insurance bond firms by offering additional insurance on up to $800 billion in municipal bonds. The Wall Street Journal's David Wessel explains how bond insurers impact Wall… Continue watching