White House, top ally, feud over health goal
The White House and one of its top allies in the US Congress feuded Tuesday over a target date for enacting President Barack Obama’s historic but embattled health care reform bill this month. Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs stuck with his prediction that the House will vote on the sweeping legislation by March 18, when the president leaves for a week-long journey to Indonesia and Australia, calling it a “doable” time frame. “The information I gave out last week was based on conversations with staff that I had had here in the... Lire la suite
Official tells US health insurer to justify 39 pct rate hike
US Health Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on Monday called on a health insurance company to publicly explain why it raised premiums for some customers by 39 percent. “With so many families already affected by rising costs, I was very disturbed to learn through media accounts that Anthem Blue Cross plans to raise premiums for its California customers by as much as 39 percent,” or 15 times faster than inflation, Sebelius said in a letter that was faxed to the insurer. The rate hikes were “even more difficult to understand” in the... Lire la suite
Obama in Super Bowl health care gambit
President Barack Obama on Sunday unveiled a dramatic gambit on his stalled health care plan to millions of Americans tuning in for the Super Bowl, summoning Republicans to a televised White House summit. The February 25 talks, announced by Obama in an interview with CBS, will mark the president’s most personal bid yet to salvage his health reform drive, as he fights to regain momentum after a rocky first year in power. “After the recess, I want to come back and have a large meeting, Republicans and Democrats, to go through systematically... Lire la suite
Obama warns voters will judge Congress on health care
US President Barack Obama Thursday sharply warned lawmakers, including those in his Democratic Party, that they must answer to voters if they balk at passing his long-delayed health reforms. Obama, seeking to reinvigorate his ambitious change agenda in a treacherous political year, said that a jobs bill should take priority in Congress, but then lawmakers must get back to his stalled health legislation. “We have to move forward on a vote,” Obama said, adding that he was prepared to sit down with Democratic and Republican lawmakers and... Lire la suite
WEATHER WARNING – Feb 3, 2010: Heavy snow for all UK regions
The Met Office has issued a weather warning for all UK regions. Heavy Snow is expected from 0349 Wed 03 Feb to 2359 Wed 03 Feb. Outbreaks of snow will become more persistent later this morning with some heavier outbreaks for a time. Drier weather will follow from the south during the afternoon. Accumulations of 2 to 5cm are widely expected and up to 10cm over the hills. Following overnight showers there is a risk of widespread ice on untreated roads and pavements. Scattered snow showers in the north may bring an additional hazard. The public are... Lire la suite











