- Mar 9, 2010 Unemployment benefit bill moves forward in Senate (CNN) Eight Republicans joined with all Democratic senators except for Ben Nelson of Nebraska on the vote to end debate on the bill, which still must be merged with a companion bill in the House. The measure extends a wide range of tax cuts that were set to expire. Many Republicans opposed the bill... more...
- Mar 9, 2010 Ex-GOP lawmaker who helped write business tax cuts is hired to extend them (The Hill) ...tax rates. McCrery said that he had originally wanted to set taxes on dividends at zero.McCrery said a key aspect of the cuts under the Bush administration was to link capital gains and dividends policy. If Congress does not act and the tax rates revert to pre-2003 policy, the rates would be... more...
- Mar 9, 2010 Ten Tax Breaks for Parents (New York Times) The credit would be taken against maximum qualifying expenses of $3,000 for one qualifying dependent and $6,000 for two or more. The comparable income limits for single filers are $69,950 to $84,950. Up to 40 percent of the credit is refundable, depending on income. more...
- Mar 9, 2010 Obama back on the campaign trail, this time for health care (USA Today) This time, the goal is not the White House, but a final health care bill. We were sent there to solve the big challenges." As with any campaign, average Americans speak at Obama's rallies to discuss their health care problems. The health care campaign also has its share of political intrigue. more...
- Mar 9, 2010 Anthem becomes Obama's Exhibit A for health-care reform (Los Angeles Times) The day after Anthem's filing, the bill passed the House on a cliff-hanging vote. About a third are covered by Anthem.California allows increases in the individual market so long as insurers spend at least 70 cents of every premium dollar on health care. Kathleen Sebelius, the secretary of Health... more...
- Mar 9, 2010 Obama, Insurers Wrestle Over Rates (Politico) But, mostly, the two groups seemed to talk past each other, attendees said.The one bit of intrigue came when Obama dropped in for an orchestrated moment via anecdote. The president read a letter he had received from Natoma Canfield, who saw her premiums increase by 40 percent this year. She asked... more...
- Mar 9, 2010 Gop Sharpens Midterm Attack Line (Politico) Arlen Specter signed Bennet’s letter last month. Charlie Melancon and Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan are either distancing themselves from the legislation or attempting to remain silent.Melancon, who is challenging Sen. Carnahan, who is looking to pick up retiring Sen. more...
- Mar 9, 2010 Lights, Camera, Reconcile! (Politico) The call for votes will be a historic moment for Congress and for Barack Obama’s presidency. That process could flag proposals that don’t have the requisite fiscal impact. The House and Senate bills both have language aimed at doing that, but they are significantly different. more...
- Mar 9, 2010 Bennet Reinforces His Left Flank (Politico) Manu RajuFacing a fierce primary challenge from the left, Colorado Democratic Sen. A former superintendent of Denver public schools, Bennet entered Washington as a relative unknown, appointed by Gov. They point to initiatives that might not be popular with liberals. more...
- Mar 9, 2010 Quinn unfairly targeting local share of income tax, Daley contends (Chicago Tribune) Hal Dardick Mar. 9, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- Mayor Richard Daley on Monday accused Gov. more...
- Mar 9, 2010 Letters: With slim hope for deal, tactic needed to pass health bill (USA Today) With slim hope for deal, tactic needed to pass health bill Reggie Marselus - Lenexa, Kan. The actions of Democrats in Congress concerning health care reform point to the inherent dangers of the unlimited powers of a majority. About 70% of U.S. citizens have an unfavorable opinion of this health... more...
- Mar 8, 2010 State Insurance Experts See Flaw in Obama's Plan to Curb Health Premiums (New York Times) State officials worry that they would be left to police the solvency of health insurance companies while federal officials pressured insurers to reduce premiums, as Mr. Sara Rosenbaum, a professor of health law and policy at George Washington University, said federal regulation of insurance rates... more...
- Mar 8, 2010 Obama launches attack on insurance companies (Washington Post) Broad majorities of insured people say they are satisfied with their coverage, according to Washington Post-ABC News polls. Only one in eight say insurance would improve if the health-care system were changed.But that relative satisfaction coexists with anxiety. She said she favors nationwide... more...
- Mar 8, 2010 Obama launches attack on health insurance companies (Washington Post) Broad majorities of insured people say they are satisfied with their coverage, according to Washington Post-ABC News polls. Only one in eight say insurance would improve if the health-care system were changed.But that relative satisfaction coexists with anxiety. She said she favors nationwide... more...
- Mar 8, 2010 Obama takes hard-sell health pitch to Pa. (USA Today) Obama is trying to win over centrist Democrats, including at least five here in Pennsylvania."It's hard for some members of Congress to make this vote. There's no doubt about that," Obama said. Louis to sell his plan, which would step up insurance regulation and extend coverage to 31 million people. more...
- Mar 8, 2010 Mental health program endangered (Daily Breeze) It got out of hand." He served time for a number of minor offenses, and was also homeless for a period. more...
- Mar 8, 2010 Fat American children (Los Angeles Times) In Alaska, poor children were only 1.2 times more likely to be overweight or obese than better-off children. It means adding the physical health burden of obesity to the already existing burdens of poverty and discrimination. How might public health, health insurance and school programs play a role? more...
- Mar 8, 2010 Health insurance rate hikes are par for the course (Los Angeles Times) President Obama has proposed expanding federal oversight of insurance premium increases as part of his plans to reform healthcare. In some states, rate increases must receive prior approval from the insurance commission before going into effect. When insurers raise rates, they'll usually offer... more...
- Mar 8, 2010 Durbin to insurance companies (Chicago Tribune) Can't do it." David Kogan owns DKP Image + Media in the West Loop. He said health insurance rates for three employees went up from $926 a month in 2005 to $2,516 in 2008. In 2009, the business downgraded to two employees: himself and his son. more...
- Mar 8, 2010 Obama Brings Health Pitch To Pa. (Politico) He appealed to Democrats who are undecided by shaming the politics at play, even making a rare reference to President Bill Clinton’s failure to get health care reform. The issue is not politics.”The president was harsh in his assessment of insurance companies. The event was partially standing... more...
- Mar 8, 2010 Obama on health care offensive (CNN) Congress "owes the American people a final up or down vote on health care. The White House has called for sweeping health care legislation to be on the president's desk at the end of March before the congressional Easter vacation. Two Democratic leadership aides told CNN last week that House... more...
- Mar 8, 2010 Obama hits private health insurers (CNN) The White House has called for sweeping health care legislation to be on the president's desk at the end of March before the congressional Easter vacation. Two Democratic leadership aides told CNN last week that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-California, is aiming to have the House of... more...
- Mar 8, 2010 Obama and health care: Still focused on insurance companies (USA Today) Another day, another White House blast at insurance companies. Every year, they raise premiums higher and higher. When is the right time for health insurance reform? more...
- Mar 8, 2010 Obama on health care: 'If not now, when?' (USA Today) Robert Zirkelbach, a spokesman for America's Health Insurance Plans, attributed rising health care bills to the costs of medical care, which are pushing up insurance premiums. He added that the insurance industry supports efforts to guarantee coverage for consumers with pre-existing conditions,... more...
- Mar 8, 2010 Obama Takes Reform On The Road (Politico) People respond to that.”Obama travels to suburban Philadelphia Monday and to the St. Only one Democrat, Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas, has said she would oppose the cleanup bill, because she disagrees with the use of reconciliation. more...
- Mar 8, 2010 Unions' support is no lock for Patrick (The Boston Globe) Many teachers are upset by elements of a sweeping education law that could result in firings at underperforming schools. But union members may have difficulty finding a more palatable alternative in the race. Patrick's principal challengers - Republicans Charles D. Baker Jr. and Christy Mihos and... more...
- Mar 8, 2010 Va. health bill could foil Obama proposal (The Boston Globe) We said people have to take responsibility for getting insurance, if they can afford it, or paying their own way. No more free-riders.''That prompted the Democratic National Committee to send out a press release saying that Romney supports a federal mandate. But Romney went on to say that... more...
- Mar 7, 2010 Memo From Quimper: Absorbing The Blows That Buffet Europe (New York Times) As part of a nationwide rescue package, Paris accelerated payments and tax reimbursements, deferred taxes, handed out subsidies for each worker still employed and provided credit guarantees for small-business loans. France’s economy was never as hard-charging as Germany’s competitive,... more...
- Mar 7, 2010 How would health care overhaul help young people? (USA Today) Healthy young adults currently pay far less than older consumers, but both the House and Senate bills limit how much more insurers could charge older people. After cutting his thumb on a broken glass while washing dishes, Ouellette ended up with eight stitches — and a bill for several hundred... more...
- Mar 7, 2010 Loudoun County health calendar (Washington Post) DADS' SUPPORT, 7 p.m. first Tuesdays, Inova Loudoun Hospital, 44045 Riverside Pkwy., Leesburg. BREAST CANCER SUPPORT, 6:30-8 p.m. fourth Mondays, Inova Loudoun Hospital Radiation Oncology Center, 44035 Riverside Pkwy., Leesburg. SPIRITUAL SUPPORT GROUP, 6:30-8 p.m. third Tuesdays, Inova Loudoun... more...
- Mar 7, 2010 Obama's health care pitch to Democrats: Trust me (USA Today) The party's strategy calls for House Democrats, despite many misgivings, to go along with a health care bill the Senate passed in December. Republicans are playing on House Democrats' suspicions of their Senate colleagues, saying Senate Democrats may not keep their end of the bargain. White House... more...
- Mar 7, 2010 Companies in enterprise zone increasingly use hiring incentives (San Bernardino County Sun) The incentives can add up to a little more than $37,000 over five years. New hires have to meet eligibility requirements for businesses to claim the tax credits. more...
- Mar 7, 2010 Anthem a boon to Obama's healthcare efforts (Los Angeles Times) The day after Anthem's filing, the bill passed the House on a cliff-hanging vote. That would soon change. The same day as the Senate vote, Anthem received some brief questions from the California insurance commissioner's office. The overhaul legislation, if not dead, was in serious trouble.... more...
- Mar 7, 2010 Chicago Tribune Gail MarksJarvis column (Chicago Tribune) I have no retirement savings and a modest savings account in case I lose my job. Retirement savings are for your future; savings account money can go for plasma TVs now. Before recording savings on the FAFSA, pay expenses such as mortgages or taxes. more...
- Mar 7, 2010 Savvy preparation can set parents up for college-aid success (Chicago Tribune) Though my taxable income is $32,000, the FAFSA form I filled out to get aid said I can afford to pay $13,500. Though the money is gone, the FAFSA computers see it and reduce your financial aid. Before recording savings on the FAFSA, pay expenses such as mortgages or taxes. more...
- Mar 7, 2010 Debate around meals tax heats up (The Boston Globe) The state Department of Revenue estimated that Boston would garner about $1.4 million a month, but in October it hauled in $1.5 million. In Foxborough, selectmen are reluctant to send it once more to Town Meeting, where it has been voted down twice since last summer. The Legislature approved the... more...
- Mar 7, 2010 A system that hurts us all (The Boston Globe) So last year it put a gun to our head, telling the unions, ``Give us $20 million or we'll close the paper.''It might have been a bluff. General, said his staff bent over backward to help Liz Beebe. She'll never have full use of her finger because, from coast to coast, we have reduced access to... more...
