These have been trying times for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV).
Providers making their points as Senate dances with reform
By
John O'Connor
Nov 01, 2009
Nonprofit providers cheered when Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME) helped Democrats move a major healthcare reform bill out of the Senate Finance Committee.
Democrats tying their fates to passage of health reform?
By
John O'Connor
Apr 01, 2010
When President Obama signed sweeping healthcare reform legislation into law, he might have been helping determine whether congressional Democrats seeking re-election in the fall would likely keep their...
The Big Picture
By
John O'Connor
Mar 11, 2006
Paddy Bauler is a largely forgotten Chicago politician who owns an immortal phrase.
“Chicago ain’t ready for reform,” the 43rd Ward alderman once observed. The statement came 50 years...
Obama budget offers providers mixed bag
By
John O'Connor
Mar 01, 2010
President Obama’s $3.8 trillion budget plan for 2011 promises carrots and sticks.
Healthcare reform, Medicare just pawns on campaign trail
By
John O'Connor
Oct 01, 2012
When it comes to healthcare reform and Medicare, long-term care operators tend to focus on the so-called small pieces. These include things such as therapy caps, Minimum Data Set payments and forced reimbursement...
Obama against caps for malpractice suits
By
John O'Connor
Jul 01, 2009
President Obama told a roomful of doctors that he does not favor caps for malpractice awards. But he indicated he may be open to “apology legislation.”
Governors eye block grants as way to cut Medicaid costs
By
John O'Connor
Jul 01, 2011
House Republicans would like to see Medicaid outlays trimmed dramatically. And they are hardly alone.
GOP pledges to fight on after vote saves healthcare reform
By
John O'Connor
Aug 01, 2012
Who says one vote doesn’t matter? The Supreme Court preserved the Affordable Care Act because a conservative judge decided that a liberal president’s expanded healthcare program was worth saving.
Card-check battle leaves all combatants worse for wear
By
John O'Connor
May 01, 2009
The apparent demise of a bill intended to make it easier for unions to form has left nearly all sides bloodied from battle.