Democrats, Universal Health Care | featured news

Rep. Barney Frank , D-Mass., said he advised President Obama against taking up health care reform following a special election in 2010 that changed Democrats' fortunes in the Senate, saying that he should have instead turned his focus to financial reform.

A legal move Monday by the Obama administration greatly increases the odds that the US Supreme Court will take up the contentious issue of the new health care law during the court term that starts next week. And if it does, that would mean a ruling from the Supreme Court by next spring -- as the presidential campaign is well underway.

Lawmakers have received death threats and been victims of vandalism after voting in favor of the health care bill.

Democrats in the House of Representatives said on Saturday they had secured enough support to pass a sweeping healthcare overhaul and would dump a controversial plan to avoid a direct vote on the Senate bill.

The pricetag for the Democrats' health care bill is better than expected and that could help sway undecided House members to back the plan, said one key Democrat.

President Barack Obama and Democratic leaders insist they will push ahead with efforts to overhaul health care. They just aren't explaining how. Obama acknowledges running into a "bit of a buzz saw" of opposition. A top Democrat suggests Congress slow down on health care, a sign of eroding political will in the wake of Republican upset in the Massachusetts Senate race Tuesday.

President Obama went to Massachusetts to support the candidacy of Martha Coakley, on whose election the Democrats’ health care agenda now hinges.

U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Wednesday congressional Democrats were close to agreement on merging their healthcare bills but still faced challenges in blending the two approaches.

House and Senate Democrats intend to bypass traditional procedures when they negotiate a final compromise on health care legislation, ...

As lawmakers take a recess, several Dems ready to give in if it means getting the trillion-dollar bill to Obama quickly.