News on The White House

Obama asks Supreme Court to rule on health care

2011-09-28T18:30:41Z

President Barack Obama's administration Wednesday asked the US Supreme Court to rule on his landmark health reforms, seeking to halt a flurry of conservative legal assaults on the new law.

Health care reform passed in 2010 fulfilled decades of Democratic dreams but was fiercely contested by Republicans, and the legislation is likely to emerge as a...

US court deals blow to Obama health care law

2011-08-12T18:30:28Z

A US appeals court Friday dealt a new blow to the health care reform law which forms President Barack Obama's proudest domestic achievement, declaring its centerpiece provision unconstitutional.

The Eleventh Circuit appeals court, based in Atlanta, rul...

Obama to Republicans: 'You think we're stupid?'

2011-04-18T11:01:10Z

CHICAGO (Reuters) - President Barack Obama said he challenged Republicans to try to repeal his landmark healthcare reform in private budget talks last week, taunting his opponents with a question: "You think we're stupid?"

In one of three political fund-raisers for his re-electi...

Q&A-What is the future of U.S. healthcare after lawsuit?

2010-12-14T10:30:40Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The future of President Barack Obama's healthcare reform has been put in doubt after a judge ruled unconstitutional a key element obliging people to buy health insurance.

The judge in Virginia ruled on Monday said the federal government cannot require someone to buy health insurance. Near...

Judge throws health care overhaul into uncertainty

2010-12-13T13:31:02Z

Judge throws Obama's health overhaul into uncertainty by declaring provision unconstitutional

President Barack Obama's historic health care overhaul was thrown into uncertainty Monday by a federal judge's decision to declare its central provision unconstitutional. Almost certainly headed to the Supreme Court, the issue hands ammunition to Republican opponents as they try to repeal th...

Obama defends health care overhaul law

2010-11-03T10:31:06Z

Obama says health care overhaul law was the right thing to do despite GOP opposition

President Barack Obama says passing his massive health care overhaul law was "the right thing to do."

Obama defended his signature legislation Wednesday even though many Republicans ran against it in the midterm elections. Republicans...

Health Care Prospects in THE SENATE (VERY BAD): Yahoo!

2010-11-03T03:14:08Z

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BLUE DOUBLE CROSS--Paul Krugman op-ed NY Times 5-22-09

2010-11-03T09:39:54Z

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Latest Healthcare Debate Scheduled for February 25, 2010 (CNN)

2010-11-03T00:12:52Z

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Healthcare: THE MESS (March 4, 2010): Yahoo!

2010-11-03T00:01:40Z

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"Healthcare Endgame" (March 11, 2010): MSNBC

2010-11-03T00:13:02Z

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SOME Very Good News On Health Care Reform (AT LAST!): Yahoo!

2010-11-03T00:12:59Z

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(8/2010) 80% Of Doctors Unhappy With Obamacare

2010-09-11T23:58:21Z

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(8/2010) 80% Of Doctors Unhappy With Obamacare

2010-09-11T23:57:25Z

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White House makes health reform case to doctors

2010-08-23T14:30:12Z

CHICAGO (Reuters) - President Barack Obama's administration asked U.S. doctors Monday to get on board with health reform legislation passed in March, saying those who embrace change will prosper.

Administration officials said the new law will provide doctors w...

Americans confused about healthcare reform: poll

2010-08-22T21:15:11Z

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Julia Wood, a 51-year-old mother of 12 from Chicago's East side, has some health insurance through a state program -- but is so worried she may lose it she asks not to give her real name.

Wood's husband, a plumbing contractor, watched his business dry up in 2008 with the mortgage c...

Health Insurers' Optimism May Be Overdone (IHF, WLP, UNH, AET, CI)

2010-09-11T03:44:29Z

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CVS HEALTH CLINICS CLOSE FOR THE SEASON

2010-11-02T15:27:43Z

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Obama sets publicity push to fight for healthcare

2010-06-07T13:15:16Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama and supporters are embarking on a major publicity push to promote his healthcare overhaul, the White House said on Monday, as they seek to ward off opposition to the plan.

On Tuesday, Obama travels to Maryland

Nearly 4M people could pay without health coverage

2010-06-26T03:40:36Z

Nearly 4M Americans will have to pay penalty if they fail to get health insurance by 2016

Nearly 4 million Americans — the vast majority of them middle class — will have to pay a penalty if they don't get insurance when President Barack Obama's health care overhaul law kicks in, according to congressional estimates released Thursday.

The penalties will average a little more than $1,0...

Is It Possible to Repeal the Health Care Program?

2010-10-25T11:36:35Z

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Ten US states to file suit against health care reform

2010-06-26T03:19:03Z

Ten US states plan to file a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of health care reform as soon as President Barack Obama signs it into law, Florida's attorney general said Monday.

Republican Bill McCollum, who is running for governor in the upcoming November mid...

Analysis: Health care fight strengthened Obama

2010-03-22T15:15:46Z

Analysis: Obama strengthened by health care fight _ and victory _ but plenty of work remains

Even with victory in hand, President Barack Obama can't put health care to rest.

He still has to sell skeptical Americans on the benefits he claims for the massive overhaul Congress finally approved — and try to save the political skins of fellow Reuters) - President Barack Obama will sign his healthcare reform bill into law Tuesday and travel Thursday to promote the plan in Iowa, a farming state split over the overhaul of the $2.5 trillion healthcare system.

The landmark legislation narrowly passed by the President Barack Obama has called for "courage" from Democratic lawmakers unnerved by looming final votes on his historic health care plan in a pivotal political week that may shape his presidency.

Obama made a lightning trip to Ohio to showcase the plight of a cancer-stricken woman deprived of health insurance, while a game of political brinkmanship unfolded in President Barack Obama's trip next week to his childhood home of Indonesia will be no vacation and is unlikely to be delayed by his health reform drive, the White House said Thursday.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Obama, who is expected to leave the

Three Reasons to Not Take Obama's Health Plan Seriously (Yet)

2010-10-25T07:56:20Z

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Obama has insurers in sight as he sets health plan

2010-06-25T18:31:17Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama will pitch his bid to revamp the U.S. healthcare system as a way to control big insurance company rate increases when he releases his healthcare plan on Monday, the White House said.

The Democratic ...

Health Insurance Reforms

2010-10-05T15:08:32Z

FEBRUARY 19, 2010

This Week in Health Insurance Reform

Although lawmakers left Washington this week for the President's Day recess, debate continued to amplify around the upcoming Health Care Summit. The Summit, scheduled for February 25th in Washington, D.C., is considered by members of the news media to be President Barack Obama's best attempt to salvage his health care reform agenda. Some Republicans view the Summit as political theater and a political...

Anatomy of the White House's Big Pharma Healthcare Deal

2010-10-25T07:12:33Z

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Drug makers' top lobbyist stepping down

2010-06-25T18:36:00Z

The head of the influential trade association for drug manufacturers announced Thursday night that he is leaving his job.

The development comes amid uncertainty over the fate of President Barack Obama's health care overhaul, which the drug association had backed after striking a deal with the White House and Senate Democrats to limit costs to the industry in the leg...

Obama’s Call for Bipartisan Discussion Passes for Health News

2010-10-24T15:50:26Z

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White House vows to press on after vote shock

2010-06-25T18:50:54Z

The White House Wednesday set out to save President Barack Obama's ambitious agenda, and insisted his health reform plan was not dead, after Massachusetts voters dealt Democrats a stinging blow.

On the anniversary of Obama's euphoric in...

INSIDE WASHINGTON: Secret bill-writing on the rise

2010-04-16T07:32:24Z

INSIDE WASHINGTON: Calls for open talks on health care bill, but the trend is for closed doors

Schoolchildren are taught that a bill finally goes to the president after selected lawmakers meet openly to forge a compromise, and the House and Senate approve their accord.

But in today's Congress, formal conference meetings are rare, the minority party is usually shut out and the public has little or ...

Merck spent $1.5M in 3Q lobbying on health reform

2010-04-16T08:09:41Z

Merck spent $1.5 million lobbying on health care reform, other issues in third quarter

Drugmaker Merck &amp; Co. Inc. spent nearly $1.6 million in the third quarter lobbying on health care overhaul issues, vaccine funding and government price controls on drugs, according to a recent disclosure form.

The $1.56 million total was up 41 percent from the $1.11 million that the maker of ...

Senate Dems in fight for passage

2010-04-16T08:12:03Z

Vote on latest version of bill could begin Monday, end on Christmas Eve

WASHINGTON The Senate today convenes its third weekend session in a row, beginning an around-the-clock effort to overcome Democratic infighting, a wall of Republican opposition and slipping support in the polls to approve the health care legislation before Christmas.

Time under the Capitol dome often passes like dog years s...

Obama seeks drug imports outside of health bill

2010-04-16T08:14:27Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House pledged on Sunday to move forward on allowing imports of safe prescription drugs from nations like Canada where they are less expensive, but not in the healthcare reform legislation now before Congress.

The pharmaceutical industry's powerful President Barack Obama heads to Congress Sunday to encourage his fellow Democrats to overcome their divisions and pass sweeping health care reform legislation.

Senators remained holed up in the US Congress over the weekend to debate the health care overhaul, Obama's top domestic priority, which a...

Power Outage

2010-10-22T14:27:30Z

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House poised for historic vote

2010-04-16T09:20:14Z

After six months of angry debate, one final bill ready for roll call

WASHINGTON The long, national health care debate is about to come to an end, at least in one chamber of Congress. But it is not drawing to a close quietly, not without one last fight.

The House is preparing for a weekend vote that cannot come quickly enough for Nevadas Democratic lawmakers. After six months consumed by health c...

Republicans aim for rival health plan in House

2010-06-25T20:02:59Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives plan to offer an alternative to Democrats' massive healthcare reform bill that would not raise taxes or require people or businesses to buy health insurance, the House Republican leader said...

How Rep. Jim Cooper became a fighter-and a target-in the health care wars

2010-10-26T23:24:33Z

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US Senate to debate wider government health care role

2010-06-25T20:08:31Z

President Barack Obama's top Senate ally announced plans Monday to start debate on historic legislation to remake US health care, including a controversial government-backed insurance plan.

After months of often fevered nationwide debate, Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said the Senate would soon take up a bill that includes a so-called "public option" to compete...

Patients - and patience - in health care end game

2010-06-25T20:10:10Z

Lawmakers worry about patients - and try to be patient - in push for health care bill

In Congress these days, the health care debate is as much about patience as patients.

In a closed-door meeting of feisty House Democrats this past week, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., served notice that in these final days before the Senate and House present comprehensive bills to overhaul the nation's system, hers is...

Patients _ and patience _ in health care end game

2010-06-25T20:10:10Z

In Congress these days, the health care debate is as much about patience as patients.

Rep. Earl Pomeroy, D-N.D., had i...

Healthcare deadline spurred foes: White House's Axelrod

2010-06-25T20:12:00Z

CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts (Reuters) - The Obama administration likely erred in giving Congress summer deadlines to move on U.S. healthcare reform legislation, a top White House official said on...

Time for health care, not much else

2010-06-25T20:13:24Z

Negotiations have reached the stage where Harry Reid, administration top guns are deeply involved

WASHINGTON — To understand just how all-consuming the health care debate is on Capitol Hill, consider this: Every day the House was in session last week, Democrats scheduled party-wide cauc...

Adviser: Obama waits on finished health care bill

2010-04-16T09:46:28Z

Adviser says Obama waiting to see a finished health care bill, holds off on specifics

The White House is waiting for Congress to settle on a final health care bill, even though President Barack Obama has a clear preference in favor of at least one specific — the much-debated public option, advisers said.

Obama, however, will not demand that l...

Will Obama Compromises Neuter Final Healthcare Reform Bill?

2010-10-22T07:40:13Z

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THE INFLUENCE GAME: Unions help, hinder Democrats

2010-06-25T20:16:37Z

EDITOR'S NOTE — An occasional look at how behind-the-scenes influence is exercised in Washington.

By ALAN FRAM

Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) — When it comes to the health care battle, President Barack Obama and congressional Democrats are lea...

Obama health care push faces key vote

2010-06-25T20:18:28Z

President Barack Obama's top domestic priority faced a critical vote Tuesday, with the Senate Finance Committee set to cast judgment on his ambitious but troubled drive to remake US health care.

"Pretty much everything's been said. Now it's time to get the job done," Democratic Senator...

Key Senate panel gears up for US health care vote

2010-06-12T16:52:56Z

A key US congressional panel casts judgment on health care reform on Tuesday, in a pivotal moment for President Barack Obama's efforts to push through his top domestic priority.

The Senate Finance Committee will vote on an 829-billion-dollar, 10-year effort to cut costs and provide affordable health insurance to most Americans, afte...

White House hits health insurers ahead of key vote

2010-06-12T16:53:11Z

The White House and allies in Congress punched back hard Monday after the insurance lobby fired off a surprise offensive at a pivotal moment of President Barack Obama's health reform drive.

Democrats dismissed an industry report which warned the reform bid would send costs soaring as a "hatchet job," a day before the Senate Finance committee was expected to vote lar...

Obama, Democrats court women on health overhaul

2010-06-25T20:20:34Z

Obama, Democrats work to shore up soft support among women for 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.

In speeches, news conferences and even an all-fe...

Obama pitches health care plan in front of doctors

2010-04-16T09:58:59Z

Obama packs Rose Garden with doctors in white medical coats to pitch his health care plan

On the cusp of a key legislative push, President Barack Obama on Monday filled the Rose Garden with doctors supportive of his health care overhaul, saying "nobody has more credibility with the American people on this issue than you do."

Obama's White House

Obama touts health plan to doctors, key vote nears

2010-06-25T20:28:35Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama gathered doctors from every U.S. state at the White House on Monday to press his case for healthcare reform in a week when the sweeping overhaul could clear a major hurdle in Congress.

The

Obama touts health plan to doctors

2010-06-25T20:28:31Z

The

Health insurance bills could be hardship for many

2010-04-16T10:00:25Z

Even with health overhaul, insurance premiums could be a stretch for middle-class Americans

Many middle-class Americans would still struggle to pay for health insurance despite efforts by President Barack Obama and Democrats to make coverage more affordable.

The legislation advancing in Congress would require all Americans to get ...

Medical premiums could still be a 'heavy lift'

2010-04-16T10:00:25Z

Many middle-class Americans would still struggle to pay for health insurance despite efforts by President Barack Obama and Democrats to make coverage more affordable.

The legislation advancing in Congress would require all Americans to get insurance — through an employer, a government program or by buying it themselves. But new tax credits to help with p...

U.S. Senate panel backs health insurance requirement

2010-06-25T20:35:22Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. Senate panel considering a sweeping healthcare overhaul upheld a requirement on Thursday that individuals purchase health insurance and rejected a proposal that could have scuttled an $80 billion White House deal with drugmakers.

On their third day of debate, members of the...

Biden tells seniors overhaul won't hurt Medicare

2010-04-16T10:11:24Z

Vice President Joe Biden sought to reassure nervous seniors Wednesday that they won't see cuts in their Medicare benefits if the nation's health care system is revamped.

"Nobody is going to mess with your benefits. Nobody. All we do is make it better for people on Medicare," Biden told about 150 people at Leisure World in suburban Maryland.

The White House says a health care reform bill from a key Senate committee is "an important building block" in getting closer to comprehensive health care reform.

Sen. Max Baucus released the long-awaited version of the bill from his Senate Finance committee Wednesday. The bill appears to have no Republican support.

White House spokesman

Gibbs: Public option 1 way to meet coverage goal

2010-04-16T10:21:36Z

Gibbs: Public option just 1 way to achieve goal of health insurance for millions without it

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs says it's not true that a health care overhaul will affect people who already have insurance.

He says President Barack Obama is determined that health care legis...

Obama to make case for big healthcare changes

2010-06-25T20:47:09Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama readied a high-stakes plea for healthcare reform on Wednesday, as a Senate Democrat leading bipartisan negotiations said he was ready to push ahead even without Republican support.

Faced with falling public approval ratings, Obama said his televised address to the President Barack Obama faced a major leadership test Wednesday in a crucial address to Congress designed to convince Americans to back his battered health care reform plan.

Obama is seeking to restore his diminished authority after weeks of shrill Republican attacks, and with his approval ratings tumbling is under intense pressure to lay out clear plans on his top domestic priority.

The speech to a joint session of Co...

Fines proposed for going without health insurance

2010-06-25T20:47:27Z

Americans would be fined up to $3,800 for failing to buy health insurance under a plan that circulated in Congress on Tuesday as divisions among Democrats undercut President Barack Obama's effort to regain traction on his health care overhaul.

As Obama talked strategy with Democratic leaders at the

Obama to clear up 'confusion' in health speech

2010-06-25T20:47:34Z

US President Barack Obama Wednesday aims to clear up "confusion" and answer the "big questions" on his embattled healthcare reform plan in a crucial address to Congress, the White House said.

Obama is seeking to restore his diminished political authority following a summer of shrill Republican attacks and is under intense pressure to lay out clear plans on his troub...

Hard-edged Obama faces critical moment

2010-06-25T20:47:59Z

US President Barack Obama is sharpening his rhetoric and raising the stakes as he confronts pressure to restore his battered authority with Wednesday's address to Congress on health reform.

Obama is facing calls to finally set out concrete proposals on his top domestic priority after a vitriolic summer marked by shrill attacks by Republican critics and his own diminishing popularity.

In unusually inflammatory language, O...

Obama to defend public health care option: White House

2010-06-25T20:48:43Z

President Barack Obama this week will defend his deeply controversial bid to push a public health care option, which would be offered alongside existing private insurance plans, the White House said Sunday.

Obama, whose plans to remake health care have been squeezed during a summer marked by volatile town hall meetings in which conservatives railed against changing ...

Analysis: Obama faces many tasks with health care

2010-04-16T10:30:37Z

Analysis: Many tasks, 1 speech: Obama facing heat to get specific and tough on health care

In one fell swoop, President Barack Obama must regain the public's attention on health care, explain in detail exactly what he wants in a final deal, unify a restless Democratic Party, prod Congress to get him a bill and bring clarity to a bewilde...

Health-Reform Update: Recalling Clinton, Snowe Reports

2010-10-24T09:57:23Z

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Analysis: Obama speech a sharp test of leadership

2010-04-16T10:30:37Z

Vacation is over.

Obama's decision to give a prime-time speech to Congress on Wednesday un...

Obama to address Congress as healthcare debate grows

2010-06-25T20:50:52Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama will seek to boost flagging support for healthcare reform next week with a rare speech to Congress after a rocky summer raised questions both about his leadership and legislative program.

Obama, who has staked significant political capital on a broad plan to overhaul the $2.5 trillion healthcare industry, will make h...

Obama to lay out specifics on healthcare: Biden

2010-04-16T10:30:58Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama will lay out specifics of his proposed healthcare overhaul when he addresses Congress on Wednesday, Vice President Joe Biden said, as the administration sought to regain control of the debate.

"Stay tuned for Wednesday," Biden said in a Thursday speech to a President Barack Obama will deliver a major prime-time health care address to Congress next week, opening an urgent autumn push to gain control of the debate that has been slipping from his grasp under withering Republican-led attacks.

Scheduling of the speech next Wednesday night, just a day after lawmakers return from their August recess, underscores the determination of the President Barack Obama, with first lady Michelle Obama and daughters Malia, 12, left, and Sasha, 9, right, returns to the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2011, after a family vacation in Hawaii. (AP Phot...

APTOPIX Obama

2010-12-22T15:34:09Z

President Barack Obama laughs during a news conference on the White House complex in Washington, Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2010. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Obama GOP Big Deal

2010-12-20T11:01:37Z

President Barack Obama, left, shakes hands with Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., right, after signing the $858 billion tax deal into law in a ceremony in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the Wh...

Obama Tax Cuts

2010-12-19T09:01:23Z

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., walks on stage before President Barack Obama signing of the$858 billion tax deal into law in a ceremony in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House ...

Disastrous Year YE

2010-12-19T08:30:35Z

FILE - In this Feb. 10, 2010 file photo, a pedestrian walks down Pennsylvania Ave., in front of the White House as the snow continues to fall in Washington. The strong early year blizzards _ nicknamed Snowmageddon _ paralyzed the U.S. mid-Atlantic. (AP Photo/Pa...