Medicare

Bipartisan Medicare Deal Hits Snag in Senate

March 25, 2015 · 4:18 am ET · 14 Comments

The New York Times reports a bipartisan Medicare deal “cobbled together” by none other than House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) and Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), “who rarely agree on anything,” has hit a surprising impediment: Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV).

Senate Democrats object “to abortion restrictions in the bill and limits to an extension of a health insurance program for children. They have begun to undermine what was poised to be a sweeping bipartisan solution to several policy problems that have long vexed Congress.”

“It is a role in which Mr. Reid is becoming increasingly comfortable as he exploits his leverage in the minority to thwart his political opponents, even if that means an unusual split with Ms. Pelosi.”

House May Actually Pass a Bipartisan Bill

March 19, 2015 · 1:22 pm ET · 9 Comments

“The House’s top two leaders are on the verge of securing a sweeping deal to permanently fix a gaping hole in Medicare that has haunted Congress for more than a decade while also securing significant long-term savings in the program,” TPM reports.

“And shockingly, it has broad support among Democrats and Republicans, including even some hardline conservatives who have spent years thwarting bipartisan agreements.”