The Battle to Define the New Health Care System

E.J. Dionne Jr. / Truthdig Nov 2, 2009 Barring astoundingly self-defeating behavior by Democrats, a decent bill will get to Obama's desk Whether lawmakers are rewarded or punished for their efforts will largely be decided in the coming weeks. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Lieberman Leans to the Right (Again)

Staff / Truthdig Oct 31, 2009 Fresh off a heady week in which he managed to supremely infuriate former colleagues and supporters in the Democratic Party with his filibuster talk, the ever-more-Independent Sen. Joe Lieberman gave ABC News a taste of his political plans for 2010. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Boehner Decries Health Bill as ‘Government Takeover’

Staff / Truthdig Oct 30, 2009 Thursday's mass display of Democratic delight over the newly introduced health care reform mega-measure was countered by the sober declaration, courtesy of House Minority Leader John Boehner, that what we have here is "a bill that really is a government takeover of the health care system." Sigh. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

The Party of Choice

Joe Conason / Truthdig Oct 29, 2009 By acting on their convictions rather than their fears, the Democrats could ultimately find that the public option can be turned to their advantage for years to come. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

House Dems Water Down Public Option

Staff / Truthdig Oct 29, 2009 If the point of health care reform is to do something about skyrocketing medical costs, then the House reform bill just got a little more pointless Although the speaker and other House liberals had hoped to hitch the public option’s negotiating power to Medicare’s wagon (continued). 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 )

Surprise! Lieberman Stabs Dems in the Back

Staff / Truthdig Oct 28, 2009 Now that serial opportunist Joe Lieberman is holding health care reform hostage in the Senate, we wonder whether the president regrets shielding the Connecticut independent from political retribution. (continued) Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Senate Bill Will Include Public Option

Staff / Truthdig Oct 27, 2009 Majority Leader Harry Reid has announced that the Senate version of health care reform would include a public option with an opt-out, which would allow states to sidestep participation in the government insurance program The White House reportedly favored a trigger instead, which is probably just a sneaky way to (continued). Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Robert Reich: Make a Ruckus

Staff / Truthdig Oct 27, 2009 Despite widespread public support and momentum in the House, the public option faces White House officials and conservative senators who looking to undermine it. In this plea for MoveOn, the always-insightful Robert Reich says to vote the bums out if they vote against you. Dig deeper ( 1 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 )

Don’t Ruin the Public Option for Everyone Else, Arkansas

Staff / Truthdig Oct 23, 2009 While the House is chugging along with what's shaping up to be a strong public option, the Senate has come up with a compromise that might make room for government insurance. Essentially, states that don't dig government-run health care wouldn't have to have it. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Nancy Pelosi Promises Public Option on the Cheap

Staff / Truthdig Oct 21, 2009 The House speaker is thrilled to hear from the Congressional Budget Office that all three versions of the public option under consideration in the lower chamber would be cheaper than expected and would actually reduce the deficit over 10 years. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )