Will health care overhaul weaken the safety net for seniors, or help heal Medicare?

WASHINGTON — Medicare is looking like a big fat piggy bank for health care overhaul.

Senate Finance Committee votes down creation of public insurance plan

WASHINGTON — The Senate Finance Committee has voted against creating a new government health insurance plan to compete with the private market. The 15-to-8 vote could forecast the fate of the public option in the Senate as a whole. The outcome was expected but still a defeat for liberals who view government-sponsored insurance for the middle class as a key component of President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul.

Obama’s Big Windup: President to make unprecedented personal appeal for Olympics in Chicago

FYI–Need to cut and past newest photos to FRONT of photo string. First photo appears on Yahoo!, other sites. Thanks.

Groups battling over health care overhaul have spent more than $100 million for television ads

WASHINGTON — Medical providers, businesses and other groups battling over a health care overhaul have spent more than $100 million this year on television advertising — an enormous sum that highlights the stakes involved.

Power of Snowe: Maine Republican wields clout on health care

WASHINGTON — They call her “President Snowe” in the blogosphere.

Public plan debate to take center stage as Senate Finance goes back to work on health care

WASHINGTON — Democrats sought to give government the right to sell insurance in competition with private industry Tuesday as the Senate Finance Committee opened a second week of debate over massive health care legislation.

Liberals fail to win government-run insurance option in Senate health care bill

WASHINGTON — In a long-anticipated showdown, liberal Democrats twice failed on Tuesday to inject a government-run insurance option into sweeping health care legislation taking shape in the Senate, despite bipartisan agreement that private insurers must change their ways.

Obama to lead US delegation in making pitch in Copenhagen for Chicago to get 2016 Games

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama will travel to Denmark this week to support Chicago’s bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics.

Obama’s Olympic pitch draws GOP complaint about lack of priorities

NEW YORK — President Obama’s decision to travel to Copenhagen to boost Chicago’s chances of winning the 2016 Olympics has drawn criticism from some Republicans, who call it a boondoggle for Obama’s hometown allies and evidence the president has blurred his priorities.

Liberal Democrats twice fail to inject gov’t-run insurance option in Senate health care bill

WASHINGTON — In a long-anticipated showdown, liberal Democrats twice failed on Tuesday to inject a government-run insurance option into sweeping health care legislation taking shape in the Senate, despite bipartisan agreement that private insurers must change their ways.

Obama’s personal plea for Chicago Olympics means possible rewards _ and political risks

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama’s decision to fly to Denmark to support Chicago’s Olympics bid elevates the Games to an issue of national importance — and exposes him to political risks as well as rewards at a critical point in his presidency.

Obama presses health care plan at Congressional Black Caucus’ annual conference in Washington

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama on Saturday resumed his push to overhaul the health care system, telling a Congressional Black Caucus conference that there comes a time when “the cup of endurance runs over.”

GOP: Democratic-run Congress rushing to pass health care overhaul, ignoring public’s concerns

WASHINGTON — The Democratic-run Congress is ignoring the public’s concerns in the rush to pass legislation to overhaul the nation’s health care system, Republicans say.

Republican says Democrats are ignoring Americans’ concerns over health care reforms

WASHINGTON — Republicans say Democrats have ignored the public’s concerns in drafting new health care legislation under debate in the Senate Finance Committee.

Republicans tapping lawmaker’s new fame from “You lie” outburst to raise money

WASHINGTON — The Republican Party is using the newfound fame of the lawmaker who shouted “You lie!” at President Barack Obama to raise money for GOP candidates around the country.

Pelosi says House will consider Senate funding scheme for health care

WASHINGTON — House Democrats are considering a tax on high-cost insurance plans to help pay for health care overhaul that tops President Barack Obama’s domestic agenda.

AP answers your questions on the news, from wildlife and wind farms to unemployment benefits

Wind power has its fans, but the turbines that turn breezes into energy are also generating concerns: Some worry that the huge contraptions might put wildlife at risk.

If greenhouse gases are cut as planned, Earth still gets 6 degrees hotter, update suggests

WASHINGTON — Earth’s temperature is likely to jump nearly 6 degrees between now and the end of the century even if every country cuts greenhouse gas emissions as proposed, according to a United Nations update.

Paul Kirk, friend to Kennedy and executor of his will, tapped as temporary Senate replacement

BOSTON — Paul G. Kirk Jr. served Edward M. Kennedy as an aide, rooted beside him at Harvard-Yale football games and is the executor of his will. Now, as Kennedy’s replacement in the Senate, he is charged with trying to complete his late friend’s legacy by passing health care reform.

Democrats try to win support from seniors for overhaul without alienating drug companies

WASHINGTON — For the moment, the health care fight is all about older folks.

UAW President Ron Gettelfinger says talks with Ford continue, fine line to walk

PLYMOUTH, Mich. — United Auto Workers union president Ron Gettelfinger said Thursday that while the group continues to discuss additional contract modifications with Ford Motor Co. both sides are working to maintain a good relationship.

Mass. governor taps Kennedy friend, former DNC chair Paul Kirk for Kennedy’s seat

BOSTON — Gov. Deval Patrick named former Democratic Party chairman Paul G. Kirk Jr. to the late Edward Kennedy’s Senate seat Thursday and said the rushed, temporary appointment was necessary because the issues before Congress were “too important to Massachusetts for us to be one voice short.”

Finance Committee Democrats thwart Republicans attempt to stall work on health care overhaul

WASHINGTON — Senators writing a health care overhaul bill have rejected a Republican amendment that could have put the sweeping measure on hold.

Democratic aides: Mass. governor to tap Kennedy friend, former DNC chair Paul Kirk for Senate

BOSTON — The governor of Massachusetts has picked former Democratic National Committee chairman Paul G. Kirk Jr. to temporarily replace the late Edward M. Kennedy in the U.S. Senate, according to Democratic aides briefed on the decision.

Democratic aide: Mass. governor to tap Kennedy friend, former DNC chair Paul Kirk for Senate

BOSTON — A Democratic aide says Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick will name former party chairman Paul Kirk to temporarily fill the late Sen. Edward Kennedy’s seat.

Mass. governor to appoint Kennedy successor; ex-Democratic party chair Kirk has family backing

BOSTON — Former Democratic National Committee chairman Paul G. Kirk Jr. was the favored pick Thursday as Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick prepared to announce a temporary replacement for the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy.

Democrats, Republicans ready fresh challenges to far-reaching health care overhaul bill

WASHINGTON — Tempers are flaring as the Senate Finance Committee starts its third day of exhaustive deliberations on a sweeping overhaul of the health care system.

Rove says Democrats likely to pass some kind of health care bill, but not in current form

LAS VEGAS — Former White House adviser Karl Rove said he thinks a health care reform bill will likely pass soon because of the numbers of Democrats in Congress, but they probably won’t get the bill they have been pushing for.

Mass. governor to declare ‘emergency’ so he can immediately appoint interim Kennedy successor

BOSTON — Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick says he will declare an emergency to allow him to immediately appoint an interim successor to the late Sen. Edward Kennedy.

Mass. Legislature approves bill creating temporary replacement for Kennedy in US Senate

BOSTON — Massachusetts lawmakers fulfilled Sen. Edward M. Kennedy’s dying wish Wednesday, granting the governor the power to appoint an interim replacement for him so President Barack Obama can regain a critical 60th U.S. Senate vote he needs to pass a health care overhaul this year.