In the race to stake out territory on a health care overhaul next year, Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus is making it a habit to try and be first. The Montana Democrat said that when the 111th Congress opens, he'll be ready with a health care bill. Read more »
Democrats are debating whether or not to include a reauthorization of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) as part of an economic stimulus package, according to House and Senate lawmakers and aides. Read more »
Despite their unsuccessful encounter with the insurance industry the last time Washington debated a big health overhaul, Democrats aren't being shy about criticizing insurers even as they emphasize the need to bring all players to the table to reach a deal on changes to the health system. President-elect Barack Obama took on insurance company revenues from the Medicare program prominently in remarks on early steps he said must be made to lower costs in the health care system. Read more »
President-elect Obama linked overhauling the health care system to a broader economic revival but hedged on whether he would roll back some of President Bush's tax cuts to pay for the changes. Read more »
President-elect Barack Obama announced his health advisers, led by former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle as Health and Human Services secretary. Read more »
A new report by a Washington research firm shows that policy makers face many challenges revamping health care by ensuring individuals have "medical homes"--a single physician practice that gives individuals ready access to doctors who oversee their overall treatment to boost its efficiency, including by keeping them healthier through better preventive care. Read more »