Senate panel approves middle-of-the-road health care plan with support from GOP’s Snowe

WASHINGTON — With support from a lone Republican, a key Senate committee Tuesday approved a middle-of-the-road health care plan that moves President Barack Obama’s goal of wider and affordable coverage a giant step closer to becoming law.

Unions plan ad announcing opposition to Senate Finance Committee bill unless it’s changed

WASHINGTON — About 30 unions will run a full-page ad in newspapers Wednesday announcing their opposition to the Senate Finance Committee’s health overhaul bill, a top labor lobbyist said.

Maine senator’s decision gives Finance bill a bipartisan glow

WASHINGTON — Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe broke with her party Tuesday and said she will vote for a Democratic health care bill, handing President Barack Obama a much-sought boost in his quest to expand access to medical coverage to all Americans.

GOP’s Snowe to vote for Democrats’ bill to overhaul country’s health care system

WASHINGTON — Forget Sarah Palin. The maverick female of the Republican Party is Maine Sen. Olympia Snowe.

CBO says health Care bill to expand coverage to 94 percent at 10-year cost of $829 billion

WASHINGTON — Health care legislation drafted by a key Senate committee would expand coverage to 94 percent of all eligible Americans at a 10-year cost of $829 billion, congressional budget experts said Wednesday, a preliminary estimate likely to power the measure past a major hurdle within days.

CBO: health Care bill expands coverage to 94 percent of eligible coverage

WASHINGTON — Health care legislation drafted by a key Senate committee would expand coverage to 94 percent of all eligible Americans at a 10-year cost of $829 billion, congressional budget experts said Wednesday, a preliminary estimate likely to power the measure past a major hurdle within days.

Sen. Baucus releases long-awaited health overhaul bill; would cost $856 billion over 10 years

WASHINGTON — Sen. Max Baucus on Wednesday brought out the much-awaited Finance Committee version of an American health-system remake — a landmark $856 billion, 10-year measure that starts a rough ride through Congress without visible Republican backing.

THE INFLUENCE GAME: Health interests donate $11 million to senators crafting health overhaul

WASHINGTON — Sen. Max Baucus, a leader in the troubled effort in Congress to write a health care overhaul bill, has received more campaign donations from the health industry than any elected federal official except President Barack Obama and three other senators.

Senate Finance chairman proposes fee on insurance companies in post-recess health care plan

WASHINGTON — Sen. Max Baucus on Monday pushed a new health care plan including an industry fee to help pay for covering the uninsured as President Barack Obama said insurance companies must share accountability for the troubled system.

Republicans cross partisan divide and join Democrats in mourning loss of Sen. Kennedy

BOSTON — Sen. Edward M. Kennedy was a Democrat’s Democrat, so much so that he became a rallying point for those in his party and an object of derision for Republican opponents.

In a polarized debate, industry-consumer coalition calls for compromise

WASHINGTON — It’s tough to find much compromise in this summer’s health care free-for-all. But at least someone is saying thanks for trying.

‘Yes We Can’ vs. ‘Tell Washington No’: Public passions seen rising on health care overhaul

WASHINGTON — Booed, jeered and occasionally cheered in a raucous session with the public, a Democratic senator said Monday that other lawmakers can expect the same as they face voters on the divisive issue of overhauling health care.

In step forward, House committee prepares to take final action on health care overhaul

WASHINGTON — Democrats on a key House committee said Friday they have patched up their differences on a health care overhaul, and went back to work confident they can advance the complex legislation.

First House votes on health care bills as Obama steps up campaign for overhaul

WASHINGTON — Health care legislation would raise costs, not lower them, Congress’ top budget cruncher said Thursday, complicating President Barack Obama’s push to overhaul the system.

House Democrats look to medical providers, employers and the wealthy for health care dollars

WASHINGTON — House Democratic leaders, pledging to meet the president’s goal of health care legislation before their August break, are offering a $1.5 trillion plan that for the first time would make health care a right and a responsibility for all Americans. Left to pick up most of the tab were medical providers, employers and the wealthy.

White House and Democratic leaders seek momentum for health care overhaul

WASHINGTON — Senate Democratic leaders rebelled Tuesday against a proposed tax on health insurance benefits, raising fresh doubts about the prospects for bipartisan legislation on President Barack Obama’s top domestic priority.

Details on health care legislation taking shape in Congress

WASHINGTON — Health care legislation is taking shape in both the House and Senate. Details are still being negotiated and any final bill would have to meld proposals from both houses. A look at various proposals:

Senate Roll Call: How the Senate voted on ‘cash for clunkers’ program

The 60-36 roll call by which the Senate on Thursday voted to support a “cash for clunkers” program that would offer government incentives to consumers who trade in vehicles that get poor gas mileage.

Senate Democrats press head on health care bill; first big test comes in committee votes

WASHINGTON — Eye-popping new cost estimates for President Barack Obama’s plan to overhaul the U.S. health care system are forcing majority Democrats to scale back their plans to subsidize coverage for the uninsured.

Tax on health benefits in Senate bill may be delayed until 2013 to avoid political fallout

WASHINGTON — Legislation to be outlined next week in the Senate Finance Committee will likely include a new tax on workers with the costliest employer-provided health coverage, officials said Friday, but with implementation delayed until 2013 to minimize any political fallout.

Key senator: Limiting tax-free health benefits would help drive down health care costs

WASHINGTON — A Senate chairman who has a major role in writing health care legislation said Tuesday he hopes to convince President Barack Obama that taxing some employer-provided benefits will help control escalating costs.

Health care options focus on paying hospitals and doctors for quality, not quantity

WASHINGTON — Doctors and hospitals would see big changes in how they’re paid and what they’re expected to do under proposals lawmakers will consider Wednesday as they narrow options for health care legislation.