NEWS

Health Plan Opponents Make Voices Heard – New York Times

Senator Arlen Specter and the health and human services secretary, Kathleen Sebelius, were heckled and booed in Philadelphia on Sunday.

Left is miffed at Pelosi over her comment – The Hill

House liberals are offended that Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) mocked their threats to oppose a Democratic healthcare bill, saying leaders are underestimating their frustration over a deal cut with centrist Blue Dogs.

Senate Dems at odds over health deadline – The Hill

A bipartisan group of senators has yet to establish a deadline for completing healthcare legislation, according to Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.), contradicting a party leader.

White House uses Web against Drudge attack – Associated Press

The White House is turning to the Internet to hit back at a Web posting that claims to show President Barack Obama explaining how his health care reform plans eventually would eliminate private insurance.

GOP Health Care Strategy Encourages Lower Standards – Media Matters

A new poll from Rasmussen shows that Republicans are suddenly more satisfied with the U.S. health care system.

Senate Democrats Willing to Bypass GOP on Health Bill – Wall Street Journal

Senate Democrats won’t hesitate to forgo bipartisanship to pass a health-overhaul bill if negotiations fail in the next month, Sen. Charles Schumer said Monday.

Public passions are rising on health care overhaul – Associated Press

Booed, jeered and occasionally cheered in a raucous session with the public, a Democratic senator said Monday that other lawmakers can expect the same as they face voters on the divisive issue of overhauling health care.

OPINION

Grassley Admits That GOP Leadership Is Urging Him To Block Public Option – Think Progress

In an article over the weekend, the National Journal highlighted congressional Republicans’ strategy to defeat efforts to reform health care. With Democrats having such a large majority in the House, the article noted that “Senate Republicans know they may be the last chance to stop the legislation this fall.” Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), ranking member on the Senate Finance Committee, has taken the lead role in negotiating the bill for the GOP. But at the same time, Grassley said Senate Republican leadership is encouraging him not to negotiate.

My Birthday Present for Turning 23? I Just Lost My Health Insurance – Trent Lapinksi

I’ve come to terms with the fact that as you get older birthdays become more trivial, and you receive fewer presents, but being punished for my age on my birthday is a new one for me. If I was a strapping healthy young person I probably wouldn’t care about losing my health insurance, but the problem is I’m not well, and I never have been.

Health Insurers Spent $173 Million To Defeat Public Option, Affordability Measures – Think Progress

In anticipation of the August recess, the health insurance industry is gearing up to oppose the four health care bills out of committee — and the GOP is cheering it on. “GOP aides on the Hill and Republicans on K Street” are urging America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) — the insurers’ lobbying arm — “to get tougher,” Politico reports. “Hopefully, these guys will realize their approach hasn’t been working and will get into the game,” said a senior Republican aide on the Hill.

Red States Plagued by Birther Epidemic, Health Care Crisis – Crooks and Liars

Red state GOP Congressmen returning home for the August recess will find two epidemics sweeping their districts, crises they seem intent on ignoring. The first is the plague that is the "birther movement," the apparently contagious delusion primarily afflicting Southern Republicans that President Obama was not born in the United States. The second is dismal health care. As it turns out, health care performance is worst in precisely those reddest of states which voted for George W. Bush and John McCain.

Health-Care Reform and the “Culture Wars” – The Health Care Blog

Friday, Politico.com editor Fred Barbash posed this question to “Arena” contributors: “Does the ongoing debate about healthcare reform reflect a :"kind of culture war” that can be traced to a “fundamental difference in world views?”

The Baucus-centric universe – Congress Matters

Look at this headline: Liberals, conservatives pose threat to Baucus bill. Not health care bill. Not Finance Committee bill. Baucus bill.