Dems Balk at Obama Tax on Rich

Nancy Pelosi still wants it in House-Senate compromise

(NEWSER) - As health care reform chugs through the Senate Finance Committee, Mike Madden checks in on the prospects for a public option and finds it's not quite dead yet. A big test comes today when the committee votes on amendments from supporters of the public option, such as Jay Rockefeller. "Don't count it out," says Chuck Schumer, sounding not exactly like his usual "bulldog" self, notes Madden, writing for Salon. More»

To pay for new system, he must tax old 'crazy' one: Reich

(NEWSER) - During the campaign, Barack Obama was scathing about John McCain’s plan to tax employer-provided health benefits. But Obama’s going to have to bite the bullet and tax them himself if he wants to pay for his own health care initiative, writes Robert Reich in Salon. Now that Congress has killed Obama’s original plan to raise funds by cutting tax deductions for the rich, it’s the only way to generate enough revenue. More»

(NEWSER) - Howard Dean didn't get the health cabinet post he wanted, and doesn't want the job that's open—surgeon general—but is pushing President Obama's health-care plan just the same, the Washington Times reports. "Democrats can’t cave," says the former doc. Obama’s plan is "perfect," and since it stresses choice it should be "right up the Republicans' alley." If the GOP wants to filibuster, he adds, "be my guest and let’s see how they do in 2010." More»

'Stars are better aligned' with friendly president, business community

(NEWSER) - Recent praise of Ted Kennedy has “the feeling of a grand farewell,” but don't bury the cancer-stricken senator just yet, Eleanor Clift writes in Newsweek. Far from it—the liberal lion is "burning up the phone lines" as the third and best shot at enacting his cherished dream of universal health care comes into view. With business interests on board and a sympathetic president, this is “one of those rare moments in history where something dramatic can be done.” More»

Gail Collins doesn't think new rules are impinging on religious freedom

(NEWSER) - The furor over President Obama's decision to force Catholic employers to provide health care that covers contraceptives brought a story to mind for Gail Collins. Her mother-in-law once told her that, when she'd confessed to a priest she was using birth control, he replied, "You're no better than a whore on the street." These days the clergy is less judgmental, but the story shows "why bishops are not the only Roman Catholics who are touchy about the issue of contraception," she writes in the New York Times . More»