Universal Health Crossing Lines

Bipartisan effort includes industry; goal is universal coverage

(NEWSER) - Even as he undergoes cancer treatment, Ted Kennedy is coordinating bipartisan meetings with colleagues and lobbyists in an effort to produce health care legislation that includes universal coverage, the Washington Times reports. The meetings—involving labor unions, insurers, drug companies, and hospitals—“are a testament to how people feel about him,” said a GOP senatorial aide. Kennedy has called universal care "the cause of my life." More»

President needs GOP for his ambitious agenda, says Broder

(NEWSER) - Barack Obama came into the White House pledging bipartisanship, but one month in, pundits are telling the president to forget compromise and "get real." Don't listen, writes David S. Broder in the Washington Post, who calls those recommendations "the worst advice he has received." Not only has bipartisanship served past presidents well, it's also critical for Obama's future battles on health care, energy, and immigration. More»

(NEWSER) - Democrats everywhere, even in the Senate, are still furious with Joe Lieberman for campaigning against Barack Obama. So pushing to allow him to stay in the Democratic caucus, and continue as chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, was a savvy political move on Obama's part, Time reports: Lieberman will owe the new president big time, and there'll be plenty of opportunities for Obama to collect. More»

Key concessions, and a desire to approve legislation, put talks back on track

(NEWSER) - After a dramatic exit yesterday, House Republicans returned to talks today on the Wall Street bailout plan, the Washington Post reports. The White House expressed confidence and hoped aloud for a resolution by Monday. Yesterday’s White House meeting, with both candidates, was seen as a misstep. “The insertion of presidential politics has not been helpful,” Senate Majority leader Harry Reid said. More»

(NEWSER) - The debate is on. With lawmakers vowing to stay on the Hill as long as it takes to get a bailout deal, John McCain’s campaign said today that he would attend tonight’s debate with Barack Obama, the New York Times reports. McCain is “optimistic that there has been significant progress towards a bipartisan agreement” that takes into account the views of dissenting House Republicans, said a campaign statement. More»