Topic: Max Baucus

House extends estate tax - a blow to Bush-era plan to abolish it

The House voted Thursday to continue the estate tax – an attempt to foil the Bush-era cuts that would have led to the expiration of the estate tax in 2010. But complications remain.

Top four differences of Senate and House healthcare reforms bills

The House and Senate will have a difficult time reconciling their healthcare reform bills on several key issues, including abortion funding and a public option, among others.

Healthcare reform: Obama cut private deals with likely foes

President Obama struck agreements with insurers, doctors, drug companies, and hospitals to keep them from turning against healthcare reform. What are they?

Senate's holiday gift to workers: extended unemployment benefits

The US Senate voted Wednesday to extend unemployment benefits for workers set to lose them by the end of the year. It wanted to be seen as helping working families heading into the holiday season.

Who will rein in healthcare costs? Don't look to Congress.

The issue of controlling healthcare costs is so contentious that Congress may opt for a bill that punts much of the task to an independent commission.

How Senate Democrats can get to 60 votes on healthcare

With 60 votes, Democrats can beat a Republican filibuster – and they're increasingly confident of getting there by wooing party moderates.

Polls: Americans want healthcare reform at no cost to them

Polls show that Americans' views on healthcare reform are complex – and often contradictory.

Senate in the home stretch on its healthcare reform bill

But there's more heavy political lifting ahead. Liberals in the House are set to fight for a public option.

New healthcare bill won't hurt deficit. What about your wallet?

The CBO says the Senate Finance bill will create a $81 billion surplus over 10 years. But critics say its fees, taxes, and mandates will hit Americans’ pocketbooks hard.

Senate Finance healthcare bill: Costs may be felt on Main St.

Senate Republicans are trying to count the cost of the healthcare bill’s fees and mandates on taxpayers, businesses, and states.

Baucus’s Senate panel whacks away at healthcare amendments

Finance Committee cuts 61 amendments, leaving just 503 to go. Among the major issues remaining: a public option.

Insurance exec: Congress must rein in healthcare costs

With Baucus bill, end of healthcare battle in sight

The Senate Finance Committee hopes to produce the last of Congress's five draft healthcare bills this week. Then begins the difficult process of melding them together.

Will Ferrell attacks health insurance execs

Democrats may go it alone on healthcare, but must close ranks

Forget Republicans. Democrats need to bring together their own centrists concerned about cost as well as liberals who still want a public option.

Massachusetts lawmakers debate Kennedy replacement

The state Senate and House are scheduled Thursday to consider a bill allowing the governor to temporarily fill Edward Kennedy's Senate seat.

Healthcare reform tussle, seen through the lens of Constitution Day

How the various branches of government are adhering to America's founding document.

Baucus healthcare plan takes flak from both sides of the aisle

Republicans say it's too costly. Liberal Democrats complain that it doesn't do enough for the uninsured. But unlike House plans, it wouldn't add to the deficit.

Baucus health plan: How is it different?

No Republican has signed on yet to the healthcare "compromise" plan released Wednesday by Senate Finance Committee chair Max Baucus.

CBO: Baucus healthcare plan would cut deficit

Obama healthcare speech: What he needs to accomplish

In his speech Wednesday night, Obama has promised clarity on key issues and will try to regain control of the healthcare debate.

Healthcare reform: Can Democrats give up public option?

As Obama calls on Congress to pass reform, the Democrats are still split on the need for a public health insurance option.

Baucus bill targets senators retreating from public option

President Obama's speech on healthcare reform Wednesday night will provide an opportunity for lawmakers to rally around a more moderate bill, centrist senators say.

Obama's Labor Day rallying cry: 'Time to act' on healthcare

In a speech at an AFL-CIO picnic Monday, he signaled a harder line toward healthcare reform. But that might not be the full story.

Democrats on healthcare: going it alone or not?

The White House appears to be sending out conflicting messages, but that could be intentional ambiguity designed to keep several options on the table.