Details on the costs of the Senate Finance Committee chairman’s health care bill

A rundown of the new spending in Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus’ health care overhaul bill, and a look at how it’s paid for. The numbers are 10-year totals covering 2010-2019. Baucus pegs the overall cost of his plan at $856 billion over a decade; the Congressional Budget Office puts it at $774 billion. Baucus aides say the discrepancy is mainly because Baucus is adding up all the costs of the bill to get a gross total, while CBO uses some net numbers.

Baucus’ health care plan marks pivotal moment in debate _ but no GOP support for compromise

WASHINGTON — His calls for compromise rebuffed by Republicans, the Democratic chairman of the Senate Finance Committee unveiled sweeping legislation Wednesday to remake the nation’s costly health care system largely along the lines outlined by President Barack Obama.

Experts propose hefty sales tax to sweetened beverages; health reformers not buying it

ATLANTA — In a bid to ramp up the public health battle against obesity, a group of nutrition and economics experts are pushing for a tax of 1 cent on every of ounce of sodas and other sweetened beverages.

White House calls new Senate Finance health plan a ‘building block’, not the end of debate

WASHINGTON — 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. Grassley hopeful less-sweeping health care reform with no public option can be negotiated

DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa Republican Sen. Charles Grassley said Monday he remains hopeful a limited health care reform measure can be negotiated but a small group working on the issue agrees a government-run public option won’t be part of a package.

‘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.

Proposed tax on ‘gold-plated’ health coverage may hit plans for older, sicker people

WASHINGTON — They call them Cadillac health plans. But a clunker may be hiding behind the sticker price.

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.

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:

Devil in the details: 4 big issues that could break a deal on health care

WASHINGTON — Four divisive issues could dash President Barack Obama’s hopes of overhauling health care: cost, creating a government-run plan, taxing workers’ benefits and penalizing employers that don’t offer coverage.

Investigators: Washington-area signal system didn’t recognize test train at fatal crash site

WASHINGTON — The signaling system for the Washington-area transit agency failed to detect a test train stopped in the same place as one that was struck during a deadly crash this week, federal investigators said Thursday.

Senators get to work on health care bill, but speechmaking and disputes overshadow progress

WASHINGTON — Delays and disputes bogged down a Senate panel considering the details of remaking the nation’s $2.5 trillion health care system.