WASHINGTON (AP) — Two House Democrats who favor a government insurance plan, a central element of health care legislation passed in their chamber, acknowledged today it might have to be sacrificed as negotiators work out a final agreement with the Senate. ...more

December 27, 2009

Democratic Sen. Al Franken took the unusual step Thursday of shutting down Sen. Joe Lieberman on the Senate floor. ...more

December 17, 2009

Moderate Senate Democrats threatened today to scuttle health-care legislation if their demands aren't met, while more liberal members warned their party leaders not to bend. ...more

November 22, 2009

Democratic leaders in the Senate unveiled their proposal Wednesday for overhauling the health care system, outlining legislation that they said would cover most of the uninsured while reducing the federal budget deficit. ...more

November 19, 2009

With Thanksgiving only weeks away, those who can afford to buy an extra can of food should donate it to either the Shepherd Center, in Tarpon Springs, or FEAST food pantry, in Palm Harbor. Don't even think of it as altruistically donating to help others; ...more

November 14, 2009

Republicans have the answers to lower health costs and expanded coverage, not the Democrats hold power in Washington and are creating more problems as they "recklessly pursue" a government takeover of the health care system, a GOP leader said. ...more

October 31, 2009

The furnishing of health care as a collateral benefit of one's employment is largely a matter of historical accident rather than logical choice. Early in the development of the organized labor movement in the U.S. medical insurance was advanced as a benefit for employees. Initially, management found this a less expensive alternative than an outright wage increase since it was a contingent rather than absolute expense and could be covered by an insurance plan. Over the years this concept became generally accepted in U.S. employment contracts. Our current economic difficulties, with large numbers of the work force losing their jobs and as a consequence their health insurance demonstrates the illogic of this arrangement. Also, the cost of the insurance makes U.S. companies less competitive in the world market and is a factor in moving business offshore. ...more

March 22, 2009

The choice between $75 prescription sleeping pills or a $5 herbal alternative is a no-brainer for Cathy and Bernard Birleffi, whose insurance costs have skyrocketed along with the nation's financial woes. ...more

January 14, 2009

At 14, Kyle Lane is going on nine years of defying the experts' prognosis. ...more

January 6, 2009

A fundraiser this weekend will help the Lane family prepare for 14-year-old Kyle Lane's lung transplant. ...more

January 5, 2009