President Barack Obama's Thursday meeting with six members of the Finance Committee was just an opportunity for an update and was not a "negotiating session," the White House said, according to The Associated Press (8/6).
Boston Globe's blog Political Intelligence reports that White House spokesman Robert Gibbs told reporters at his daily briefing that "The president invited the group to come to the White House today to provide an update and a status report of sorts on their negotiations amongst themselves and the committee.
Obama Really Does Have Best Health Care In The World
When President Barack Obama said at a recent news conference that he has the best health care in the world, he wasn't exaggerating, The Chicago Tribune reports.
When President Barack Obama said at a recent news conference that he has the best health care in the world, he wasn't exaggerating, The Chicago Tribune reports.
Congressional Quarterly: Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., said that Obama asked the group "how he could help their negotiations, which have dragged on for nearly two months. 'I think the single most important thing he can do is continue to stress how critically important this is for the country,' Conrad said. 'Failure is simply not an option.'" Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., said the meeting lasted about an hour and staff asked to leave during the last half.
"Conrad said that the group talked about several policy areas, including a large Medicaid expansion contemplated as part of the bill; affordability issues, such as how much people can afford to pay in insurance premiums, deductibles and co-payments; and how the legislation should be financed." Obama is concerned about "Medicaid expansion being done in a way that was coordinated carefully with the governors," according to Conrad. He added that that "affordability had to be very sensitive to what the burden is on people" (Wayne, 8/6).
Community Insurance Co-ops, Medical Homes Offer Models For Reform
Communities with nonprofit health insurance co-ops or a system of patients having medical homes' could be useful models in a national health care overhaul.
Communities with nonprofit health insurance co-ops or a system of patients having medical homes' could be useful models in a national health care overhaul.
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US Liberal Groups Give Boost To Obama's Healthcare Plans
A coalition of US progressive groups unveiled Monday a 82-million-dollar campaign to boost President Barack Obama's plans to overhaul the ailing healthcare system.
A coalition of US progressive groups unveiled Monday a 82-million-dollar campaign to boost President Barack Obama's plans to overhaul the ailing healthcare system.
Obama Frustrated With Healthcare Reform Hurdles
US President Barack Obama on Tuesday expressed rare frustration at the hurdles he is facing in his efforts to overhaul the US healthcare system.
US President Barack Obama on Tuesday expressed rare frustration at the hurdles he is facing in his efforts to overhaul the US healthcare system.
