NEWS

Obama group passes 300,000 calls for health care - Boston Globe

Pro-Obama groups said this morning they ended up at 315,023 calls to Congress on Tuesday pushing the health care overhaul, tripling the original goal of 100,000.

Speaker Pelosi set to stick with liberals on public health insurance option - The Hill

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is sticking with the liberal wing of her party on healthcare by choosing to go to the House floor with a public option based on Medicare, according to Democratic sources.

Liberals increase pressure for public insurance plan in health bill - Washington Post

Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid is facing intensifying pressure from liberal lawmakers to revive a proposed government insurance plan before health-care reform legislation reaches the Senate floor, amid signs that moderate Democrats may be warming to the idea.

Harry Reid: “We’re Leaning Towards Talking About A Public Option” - Greg Sargent

There was an odd, somewhat amusing moment at a presser in the Capitol today after Senate Dems huddled to discuss the final Senate health care bill, with Senator  Harry Reid refusing to say that negotiations were progressing towards a public option.

Hill Aides: More Senators Would Back Public Plan If Obama Pushed Harder - Huffington Post

There is a growing sense on Capitol Hill that the White House's refusal to weigh in more forcefully in the health care debate could come at the cost of a public option for insurance coverage.

Health-care lobbyists continue spending spree - Washington Post

The August recess did little to slow the Washington lobbying frenzy over health-care reform, as insurers, drugmakers and hospitals continued to spend millions to attempt to sway the emerging legislation, according to new disclosure reports filed with Congress.

Dems eye insurance industry's antitrust protection - Associated Press

Top Senate Democrats intend to try to strip the health insurance industry of its exemption from federal antitrust laws as part of the debate over health care, according to congressional officials, the latest evidence of a deepening struggle over President Barack Obama's top domestic priority.

House Dems want Medicare for everyone - The Hill

Say hello to “Medicare Part E” — as in, “Medicare for Everyone.”

House Democrats are looking at re-branding the public health insurance option as Medicare, an established government healthcare program that is better known than the public option.

OPINION

Ritter, Bennet, Udall collaborate on public option - Squarestate

The campaigns of Gov. Bill Ritter and U.S. Sens. Michael Bennet and Mark Udall have collaborated on a new website promoting a public option: Up or Down Vote for the Public Option.

Who Cares What The Public Says About Public Option? - NPR

The Washington Post has headlined a story about a poll it took with ABC News showing that the "public option" feature of the health care debate is supported by a clear majority of Americans.