David Welna, NPR News

Opponents Threaten Constitutional Challenge To Individual Mandate

KFF Health News Original

A major component of the Congressional health bills is a requirement that nearly everyone buy health insurance. But conservatives who oppose health reform have threatened a challenge on constitutional grounds.

On Health Bill, Reid Proves The Ultimate Deal Maker

KFF Health News Original

All 60 members of the Democratic caucus closed ranks behind the bill. And the man getting the credit for bringing them on board is the leader of the Democrats’ supermajority, Nevada Sen. Harry Reid.

Democrats Push To End Insurers’ Antitrust Exemption

KFF Health News Original

The relationship between the Democrats and health insurers has turned ugly since the industry began to spurn the health care makeover it once supported. Now, some members of Congress Democrats want to strip the industry’s exemption from federal antitrust laws.

Health Care Overhaul Rests On Senator Harry Reid

KFF Health News Original

Majority Leader Harry Reid has been the Democrats’ top man in the Senate for nearly five years. But his leadership skills are soon to be tested as he presides over merging the two very different health care overhaul bills. The task has prompted remarks like, “Is he Harry Reid or Harry Houdini?”