House Dems Unveil Giant Health Care Reform Bill

Staff / Truthdig Oct 29, 2009 After months of squabbling and tussling with each other as well as their Republican opposition, House Democrats finally produced the latest comprehensive result of their efforts in health care reform in the form of a whopping 1,990-page measure -- and then proceeded to congratulate themselves in a public rally outside at the Capitol. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Lieberman Twists the Knife

Robert Scheer / Truthdig Oct 28, 2009 Is there a more hypocritical figure in American politics than Joe Lieberman? The Connecticut senator declared Tuesday that he would support a filibuster of any health care reform bill that has a public option -- even the version with the “trigger” compromise accepted by Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe -- because it might cost money. Is there a more hypocritical figure in American politics than Joe Lieberman? Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

‘Left, Right & Center’: Public Option Redux; Obama vs. Fox; Bonus Bust

Staff / Truthdig Oct 24, 2009 Well, that public option idea keeps creeping back to the table as Congress debates the health care conundrum, but will it stick around? Does the federal government have the right to limit executive bonuses when taxpayers hold a majority interest in the company? And is President Obama wasting his time by tangling with Fox News? So many questions this week! Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Obama, Facing Old Messes, Tells GOP to ‘Grab a Mop’

Staff / Truthdig Oct 21, 2009 Certain members of the Republican Party need to stop knocking the current administration's attempts to clean up the messes caused by the previous one and "grab a mop," President Barack Obama said during a Democratic National Party fundraiser in New York on Tuesday night. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Health Care Reform Insurance Companies Can Believe In

Bill Boyarsky / Truthdig Oct 20, 2009 It’s now clear that health care “reform” is a bonanza for the insurance companies But these acquisitive businesses want even more Their efforts to increase their profits are at the center of the clandestine Senate and House negotiations currently shaping the health bill. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Real Talk on Health Reform

Staff / Truthdig Oct 17, 2009 President Barack Obama has finally put into words what everyone already knows: that insurance companies are "deceptive and dishonest" in their efforts to kill any semblance of health care reform, no matter the cost. Now let's see if he does anything with this knowledge. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Harkin Sees a Public Option in Health Bill’s Future

Staff / Truthdig Oct 17, 2009 Those two little words keep popping up amid all the chatter about health care reform, and here they are again, thanks to Sen. Tom Harkin, chair of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee: "public option." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

‘Left, Right & Center’: Health Care Reform Survives?; Wall Street Revives

Staff / Truthdig Oct 17, 2009 Wall Street got a boost, as if it needed one, from the Dow's rise past 10,000 this week -- but let's not confuse that with economic stability. Consider the unemployment rate and the ballooning federal budget deficit, as Arianna Huffington, Bob Scheer, Tony Blankley and Matt Miller do on this week's "Left, Right and Center." Just don't ask Arianna about "Balloon Boy." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

‘Left, Right & Center’: Nobel Surprise; the Dollar’s Down

Staff / Truthdig Oct 10, 2009 President Obama's Nobel Peace Prize caused a ruckus round the globe, drawing a wide range of reactions. The big question: Did he deserve it? On this week's show, "Left, Right & Center" co-hosts Robert Scheer, Tony Blankley, Matt Miller and Arianna Huffington mull this one over, along with the value of the dollar and the ongoing saga that is health care reform. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Ad for the Public Option Takes Sen. Ensign to Task

Staff / Truthdig Oct 5, 2009 Nevada Sen. John Ensign's recent infidelity scandal lurks in the background of an ad for the public option running in parts of his home state this week, courtesy of the progressive coalition Health Care for America Now! The Atlantic's Marc Ambinder notes that the coalition has paid $100,000 to run the ad for a week to point out Ensign's financial entanglements with the health care industry. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Senate Panel Votes Down Abortion Amendment in Baucus Bill

Staff / Truthdig Sep 30, 2009 Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch tried, and ultimately failed, to add an amendment to the health care hydra that Max Baucus' reform bill has become. This one would have required women to buy separate policies for abortion-related services. Even the formerly reticent Sen. Olympia Snowe cast a "no" vote on this one. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Baucus & Co. Shoot Down Public Option Amendment

Staff / Truthdig Sep 29, 2009 Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus and his merry band of legislators on Tuesday nixed an amendment proposing that a government-backed "public option" be included in Baucus' contested health care reform plan, using the argument that the public option addition would further diminish the bill's chances of passing. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )