Director of Health and Welfare Studies, Cato Institute
Director of Health and Welfare Studies at the libertarian Cato Institute
PROFILE
Michael Tanner
Guest
FROM Michael Tanner
Which Way, L.A.?
Will Healthcare Reform Get to the Senate Floor? After many delays, Senate leader Harry Reid finally unveiled his version of healthcare reform last night in Washington. He called the legislation a "tremendous step forward…(b)ecause it saves lives, saves money and protects Medicare -- makes Medicare stronger."
To the Point
Will Healthcare Reform Get to the Senate Floor? The Senate's healthcare reform bill is finally a 2000-page, $848-billion reality, including the public option, with an allowance for states to opt out. It would cover 94% of legal American residents and reduce the deficit with Medicare cuts and taxes on cosmetic surgery and so-called "Cadillac" plans. What's the same and what's different from the bill passed by the House? What about abortion? Can Republicans prevent the bill from reaching the Senate floor?
To the Point
Health Insurance on Capitol Hill and the Presidential Trail While Hillary Clinton and the rest of the candidates are debating healthcare reform, President Bush and the Congress are at odds over a current program that's about to expire. The State Children's Health Insurance Program was created to provide coverage for children of the working poor—kids whose parents make too much for Medicaid but still can't afford private insurance. After ten years, both parties agree it's been a success—but it's scheduled to expire at the end of this month. In the Senate, Democrats and Republicans have agreed to expand it into the lower middle class. In the House, Democrats working alone have approved a much bigger expansion . President Bush has threatened to veto either version. Claiming that expansion of the program would move middle class families who can afford private insurance to let the government pay, the Administration has enacted new guidelines, requiring privately insured families to wait for a year before they're eligible for SCHIP.
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California catastrophe The fires rage on in our own backyard, and in Northern California, encompassing tens of thousands of acres each. In L-A and Ventura Counties, the Woolsey Fire has scorched everything in its path. To the north, in Butte County, the Camp Fire has charred and destroyed even more acreage, of trees, brush and everything else, north of Sacramento, and the town of Paradise is a scene of utter devastation and heartbreak.
KCRW Features
Tiny Desk Talks NPR Music is proud to introduce their newest series, “Tiny Desk Talks” fueled by Lagunitas Brewing Company. Featuring one of their talks in collaboration with KCRW for an intimate conversation on music in film with composer Ludwig Göransson (Black Panther, Atlanta, Creed) and music supervisor and KCRW DJ Liza Richardson (Barry, Narcos), moderated by KCRW’s Jason Bentley. Watch the conversation below.