First Edition: October 9, 2009 - Finance Committee still dominates news

Oct 9 2009

News outlets analyzed the current political climate as the Senate Finance Committee prepares for a Tuesday vote on health overhaul legislation.

Senate Health Bill Gains Momentum

The White House-backed drive for a health-care bill picked up steam Thursday, propelled by a favorable report on its price tag and positive comments by some key players. But big hurdles remained, including disagreements among Democrats on how to finance the legislation. (Wall Street Journal)

Health Care Bill Gets Green Light in Cost Analysis

The Senate Finance Committee will vote next Tuesday on legislation to revamp the health care system, Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, the Democratic majority leader, said on Thursday. (The New York Times)

Health Industry Concerned About Reform Measures

The industry heavyweights President Obama neutralized through the summer are agitating that the health-care bills in Congress violate agreements they made with the White House, leave 25 million Americans uninsured and have the potential to increase medical costs. (The Washington Post)

Health industry holds fire - for now

In almost any other congressional debate, today would have been when powerful special interests open fire on a bill that violates the handshake deals they'd reached with lawmakers. But as Democrats in both chambers advanced proposals today that conflict with agreements struck with the pharmaceutical and hospital industries, the business groups are calmly riding the wave of reform. (Politico)

U.S. healthcare reform gathers steam in Congress

U.S. President Barack Obama's push for healthcare reform gathered steam on Thursday as a Senate panel scheduled a key vote for next week and Democrats in the House of Representatives moved closer to unveiling a bill. (Reuters)

Insurers Say Changes Could Derail Health Bill

The Congressional Budget Office has officially given the health overhaul bill before the Senate Finance Committee a clean bill of fiscal health. But the health insurance industry says some last-minute changes could threaten the entire framework on which the overhaul effort is resting. (NPR)

Obama, Democrats court women on health overhaul

The White House and top Democrats, intensifying their push to build support for their party's health overhaul proposals, are increasingly targeting women, a politically crucial group with strong opinions on health care that polls suggest has yet to be sold on the changes. (The Associated Press)

All eyes are on Olympia Snowe in healthcare debate

The lone congressional Republican working to support Obama's overhaul, the Maine senator is being hit from all sides. But in her rough-hewn state, independence is expected. (Los Angeles Times)

Report: Health bills show some price gaps

Older Americans who buy health insurance on their own could pay nearly 50% more in premiums under the Senate Finance Committee bill compared with other versions pending in Congress, an independent study says. (USA Today)

Consumers Union Begins Airing Controversial Pro-Reform Ad

This week, Consumers Union, the nonprofit organization that publishes Consumer Reports magazine, stepped into the health care debate by airing a 30-second television ad supporting an overhaul. Although the group is known for taking very public -- and sometimes controversial -- positions on consumer products and services, it has never before broadcast a television commercial on a public policy question. (Kaiser Health News)

Current health bill unacceptable, Catholic bishops say

Senior Catholic bishops are threatening to oppose the health care bill under consideration in Congress if lawmakers don't make significant reforms regarding federally funded abortions and other issues. (CNN)

States face dilemma on health costs

The nation's governors are caught between the crisis of growing numbers of uninsured residents and proposed federal health care solutions that could make a significant dent in their own battered budgets. States received an indication this week of the price they might pay for health care overhaul. The Congressional Budget Office estimated state spending on Medicaid would increase by about $33 billion over a decade under a leading proposal set for a vote in the Senate Finance Committee next Tuesday. (Baltimore Sun)

The Telltale Wombs Of Lewiston, Maine

A study of hysterectomies helps uncover a multibillion-dollar flaw in the U.S. health care system. (NPR)

Health-Care Tug of War Puts Patients In the Middle

The hardball tactics being used to pry patients from their sickbeds illustrate the colliding financial interests that pervade U.S. health care. It is a tug of war over where patients are treated, who decides how much care they receive and -- fundamentally -- which parts of the health-care industry gain or lose when people become ill. (The Washington Post)

Sign up to receive this list of First Edition headlines via email. Check out all of Kaiser Health News' email options including First Edition and Breaking News alerts on our Subscriptions page.