An interactive timeline of America’s ongoing attempts (and subsequent failures) to enact health-care reform to provide universal health benefits to Americans. Will this all finally just be consigned to ancient history?
US healthcare
Palin: But what about the “death panels”?!
Sarah Palin has pulled out her favourite broken record following the House of Reps’ historical vote for health-care reform, claiming the bill may still result in “death panels” making end-of-life decisions for the elderly.
Meet the lone Republican who voted for health reform
Little-known Republican Rep Joseph Cao is the only member of the GOP to vote in favour of the US healthcare reform bill. Why did he do it? And just how much flack is he going to cop as a result?
The US suddenly looking a whole lot healthier
US President Barack Obama’s quest to reform the country’s health-care is almost a reality, with the House of Representative just passing a bill that will finally see the majority of Americans get access to health coverage. Just one last hurdle now…
Video of the Day: Public Option Annie: an impromptu insurance industry musical
Protestors from Billionaires for Wealthcare interrupt a meeting of insurance lobbyists America’s Health Insurance Plans, which is doing its darndest to stop health care reform — in song!
Bill Maher: Fat people can’t complain about health care reform
Comedian Bill Maher proposes a new rule: you can’t complain about health care reform if you’re not willing to reform your own health. Teabaggers, he’s looking at you.
Dowd: Race issues still dragging Obama down
Much of the criticism of President Barack Obama and attempts to delegitimise his presidency has to do with race, writes Maureen Dowd. Senator Joe Wilson yelling “You lie!” during Obama’s healthcare speech is just further proof.
Klein: Improvement, not change
Obama’s pitch to Congress was not for sweeping change to health care, but by angling for smaller-scale improvements to the current system, he may actually have a chance of getting them passed, says Ezra Klein.
Obama moves from candidate to president
Obama’s health care speech today was about more than health reform, it was also a bid for legitimising his presidency and proving he has the authority to govern. Can he bring about the health care change his campaign promised? Check out his health reform plans here.
Diary of a Surgeon: What Australia could learn from the US health system
It’s now 40 years since America introduced a landmark health reform that improved access for many disadvantaged groups, and it is only now starting to gain traction in Australia, writes Guy Maddern.
Rove: Dark clouds gathering in Obama’s future
In an op-ed for The Wall Street Journal former US VP Karl Rove says a perfect political storm is brewing for the Obama administration, with stimulus spending and health care reform strategies that don’t match the priorities and values of ordinary American voters.
US tackles swine flu with Sesame St
The US government has enlisted a new recruit in the fight against the spread of swine flu: Elmo; creating a series of PSA videos to deliver health and hygiene tips to youngsters by utilising a fuzzy and familiar face.
Video of the Day: Fighting swine flu with Elmo
US health officials are trying to contain the spread of swine flu by using a fuzzy, familiar face to deliver health and hygiene tips to youngsters: Elmo.
Guardian recreates Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath
The Guardian are recreating the Route 66 journey from John Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath, to examine the differences in this modern day Depression, where Mexicans have become the new Okies and suspicion of government is high.
Video of the Day: Jon Stewart grills “death panel” activist
Jon Stewart absolutely hammers Betsy McCaughey, the originator of the “death panel” controversy — which equates end-of-life planning with government-ordered euthanasia — on The Daily Show.
Potter: fair healthier to come out against the insurers
Did Michael Moore’s documentary, Sicko, really make the communications head at a major US health insurer quit the industry? It did. And Wendell Potter now publicly advocates healthcare reform.
Political snippets: Japan’s election gets underway
The Japanese election action begins, Kevin Rudd can’t win on China, the insanity of the US health care debate, the politics of caged eggs, old stoners still puffing away, and more from the mind of Richard Farmer.
Liberals turn on Obama: no you can’t
Liberal backlash against Barack Obama is growing in the US, with even commentators like Jon Stewart and Ezra Klein, coming out in opposition to Obama’s health care reform dealings. The main issue? Obama is giving away too much to Republicans.
How should Obama reform health care?
America will never find a perfect system of health care, says writer and surgeon Atul Gawande, but the country can do a lot better than the “routine cruelty” of the current system — and there are already models in place around the country from which to build upon.
What are Obama’s favourite words? Hint: not ‘gay’ or ‘war’.
Politico have crunched the numbers and examined what topics Barack Obama discusses the most. His favourites? Domestic issues: jobs, health and the economy.
Ketchup and no Dijon: US turns Europhobic
Europeans are on average healthier, happier and more financially secure than Americans. So, why are the Yanks so terrified of turning Euro? asks Michael Freedman.
