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AP Political NewsBrief at 10:22 a.m. EDT
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| Copyright: | The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. | | Source: | Associated Press | | Wordcount: | |
FACT CHECK: Health insurer profits not so fat
WASHINGTON (AP) _ Quick quiz: What do these enterprises have in common? Farm and construction machinery, Tupperware, the railroads, Hershey sweets, Yum food brands and Yahoo? Answer: They're all more profitable than the health insurance industry.
Senate GOP leader: More swine flu help if asked
WASHINGTON (AP) _ The Senate's Republican leader is pledging to give the Obama administration any more help it may need to fight the swine flu outbreak. Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky says the administration has told Congress that lawmakers have provided all the support and money needed so far. And if the administration says it needs additional resources, McConnell says he knows Congress would be happy to provide it on a bipartisan basis.
THE INFLUENCE GAME: Bill Gates sways govt dollars
WASHINGTON (AP) _ The real secretary of education, the joke goes, is Bill Gates. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has been the biggest player by far in the school reform movement, spending around $200 million a year on grants to elementary and secondary education.
Lawmakers split on timing of Afghan decision
WASHINGTON (AP) _ Top lawmakers are sparring over the timing of President Barack Obama's decision on how to proceed in Afghanistan. Republicans want a quick move to boost troop levels. Democrats are asking for patience.
Obama declares swine flu a national emergency
WASHINGTON (AP) _ President Barack Obama declared the swine flu outbreak a national emergency, giving his health chief the power to let hospitals move emergency rooms offsite to speed treatment and protect noninfected patients. The declaration, signed Friday night and announced Saturday, comes with the disease more prevalent than ever in the country and production delays undercutting the government's initial, optimistic estimates that as many as 120 million doses of the vaccine could be available by mid-October.
Cash for Clunkers trade-ins piling up
WASHINGTON (AP) _ Trade-ins from the Cash for Clunkers program are piling up and auto recyclers are seeking more time to meet the deadline for disposing of all those vehicles. At some places, Ford Explorers, Chevy Blazers, Chrysler Town & Country minivans and other popular clunkers are parked bumper to bumper on several acres, many marked "C4C" on their windows, waiting to be drained of fluids, stripped of valuable parts and eventually flattened for scrap.
Nelson open to trimmed-down public option approach
WASHINGTON (AP) _ A key Democratic senator says he may be open to a government-run insurance program that allows states to participate only if they ask to participate. Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska says he is not ready to commit definitively on the most controversial issue surrounding health care overhaul legislation, whether to set up a nationwide public health insurance program to compete with private insurers.
Nuclear energy becomes pivotal in climate debate
WASHINGTON (AP) _ Once vilified by environmentalists and its future dim, nuclear energy has become a pivotal bargaining chip as Senate Democrats seek Republican votes to pass climate legislation. The nuclear industry's long-standing campaign to rebrand itself as green is gaining acceptance amid the push to curtail greenhouse gases. Nuclear power still faces daunting challenges, including what to do with radioactive reactor waste. Reactors also remain a tempting target for terrorists.
Schumer: Public option near votes needed to pass
WASHINGTON (AP) _ A key Democratic senator says he believes Democrats are close to the 60 votes they need to advance a health care bill that includes a new program for government-backed health insurance. Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York says he thinks a public option plan will be in the Senate bill.
Patients - and patience - in health care end game
WASHINGTON (AP) _ In Congress these days, the health care debate is as much about patience as patients. In a closed-door meeting of feisty House Democrats this past week, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., served notice that in these final days before the Senate and House present comprehensive bills to overhaul the nation's system, hers is running short.
This is a news service of Thomson Business Intelligence Service ©2006. This content is for your personal use only, subject to Terms and Conditions. No redistribution allowed.
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