Politics : NPR

A Health Care Issue Both Parties Can Agree On

February 28, 2010 • Thursday's White House summit on health care highlighted the disagreements between Democrats and Republicans, but they do agree on some issues. One of them is that insurers should not be allowed to retroactively cancel health insurance policies.

After Health Care Summit, Obama Prepares To Move Ahead

February 27, 2010 • The White House says President Obama will make an announcement next week about how he wants to proceed with health care legislation. The move comes after a day-long meeting on Thursday with both Republican and Democratic Congressional leaders where Obama raised the profile and raised the stakes on the gap between Democrats and Republicans over health care. That doesn't get the bill done, but it may move the debate a decisive step closer to endgame.

Week In Review With Daniel Schorr

February 27, 2010 • This week saw an unprecedented day-long summit on health care reform as well as an abject apology from Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda. Host Scott Simon reviews the week in the news with NPR Senior News Analyst Dan Schorr.

Political Theater Starred This Week

February 27, 2010 • Host Scott Simon talks to David Weigel, a reporter for The Washington Independent, about the politics of health care and the announcement by New York Governor David Paterson that he is ending his election bid.

Sen. Bunning Blocks Extension Of Jobless Benefits

February 26, 2010 • The Senate is gridlocked over extending unemployment benefits for nearly 1 million people because one senator objects. Republican Jim Bunning of Kentucky is blocking the extension — and other measures — because the bill is not paid for. A handful of Democrats led by Majority Whip Dick Durbin kept Bunning on the floor late Thursday. The benefits expire Sunday.

Week In Politics Examined

February 26, 2010 • President Obama's bipartisan health care summit Thursday and New York Gov. David Paterson's announcement Friday that he was withdrawing from the race for governor dominated the week in politics. E.J. Dionne of The Washington Post and David Brooks of The New York Times offer their insight.

New York Gov. Paterson Drops Out Of Race

February 26, 2010 • Embattled New York Gov. David Paterson announced Friday that he won't seek election. Paterson has been snared in a scandal involving a top aide who is accused of domestic abuse. News reports say Paterson improperly intervened on behalf of the aide.

Democrats' Solo Health Care Push Won't Be Easy

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif. (center), accompanied by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev., (left) and House Majority Whip James Clyburn of S.C. — speaks with reporters after an all-day bipartisan health care summit on Thursday. J. Scott Applewhite/AP hide caption

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J. Scott Applewhite/AP

Tracking The Overhaul

Democrats' Solo Health Care Push Won't Be Easy

February 26, 2010 • After Thursday's bipartisan summit on health care, Democratic leaders have decided to press forward alone, dropping any hope of Republican support for an overhaul bill. Now Democrats have to figure out what new health care policy can pass both the House and Senate — with the votes of Democrats alone.

Health Care

Health Care Summit Was 'Uplifting'

February 26, 2010 • The people who watched the health overhaul summit include Dana Milbank, who writes a column on political theater in the capital for The Washington Post. Milbank tells Steve Inskeep the process was "uplifting" because lawmakers demonstrated that they were serious and knowledgeable.

Religion

James Dobson Signs Off At Focus On The Family

February 26, 2010 • James Dobson, the founder of Focus on the Family, gives his final radio broadcast for the organization Friday. CNN religion writer Dan Gilgoff talks to Steve Inskeep about how changes at Focus on the Family reflect broader changes in the evangelical movement. Dobson became an overtly political leader. New leadership is seeking to soften the group's message.

Health Care

Health Summit Fails To Narrow Partisan Divide

February 26, 2010 • Republicans looked President Obama in the eye and offered strong objections to a health care bill. The partisan divide on health care was played out at the White House summit Thursday. Obama and Democratic congressional leaders pushed their broad health care overhaul, and Republicans insisted on the "step by step" approach.

House Committee: Rangel Broke Travel Rules

February 26, 2010 • Congressman Charles Rangel of New York says the House Ethics Committee is admonishing him for circumstances surrounding trips he took to the Caribbean. Rangel says the committee found the trips, paid for by corporations, violated ethics rules. Rangel, the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, says he did not know about any violations, and will pay the corporations back.

Election 2010

Republicans Focus On Sen. Bayh's Seat

WFIU

February 26, 2010 • Following the announced retirement of Senator Evan Bayh, Indiana's Democratic Party is scrambling to replace the man who's been its most visible figure for the last 25 years. Bayh's retirement has bolstered the state's Republicans, who've struggled to overcome the senator's broad appeal.

Health Care Overhaul Summit Cements Differences

President Obama speaks as he hosts a bipartisan meeting to discuss health overhaul legislation at Blair House in Washington, D.C. Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images

Health Care

Health Care Overhaul Summit Cements Differences

February 26, 2010 • After a marathon meeting hosted by President Obama Thursday, Republicans and Democrats appeared no closer to bridging their differences on health care. Democrats vowed to move forward, and Republicans vowed to continue fighting a comprehensive overhaul.

GOP Leader Weighs In On Health Summit

February 25, 2010 • President Obama is hosting lawmakers from both parties at a health care summit. to GOP Congressman Dave Camp of Michigan, the ranking Republican on the House Ways and Means Committee, offers his insight on the summit. GOP Congressman Dave Camp of Michigan offers his insight on the summit.