Spokesman, America's Health Insurance Plans
Spokesman for America's Health Insurance Plans, which lobbies in Washington on behalf of the health insurance industry
PROFILE
Robert Zirkelbach
Guest
FROM Robert Zirkelbach
To the Point
Should Obama Order a Freeze on Insurance Rates? In writing healthcare reform , Congress required that Americans buy health insurance by 2014, but declined to empower the government to set a fair price. One consumer calls it “a potential disaster that the president cannot afford to ignore .” Recently, health insurance companies have begun notifying policyholders of premium increases, pointing the finger at federal healthcare reform. We get two perspectives from Jamie Court, President of Consumer Watchdog in California, and Robert Zirkelbach, spokesman for America's Health Insurance Plans .
Which Way, L.A.?
The Pitch Is History, Did He Make the Sale? After a month on the sidelines, President Obama attempted to re-frame the debate on healthcare reform with a major address last night to a joint session of Congress.
To the Point
The Pitch Is History, Did He Make the Sale? President Obama told last night's joint session of Congress, the bickering and game playing should be over. " Now is the time to deliver on healthcare ." This morning, Republicans apologized for some heckling, but bipartisanship is still a distant dream, and Democrats remain divided. Was there enough detail to resolve fears and confusion from last month's town halls? What about the "public option" and paying for the cost? Vice President Biden predicts a bill will pass by Thanksgiving. We look at the prospects.
Which Way, L.A.?
Is This Finally the Moment for Healthcare Reform? While he was still in Europe, President Obama spoke to his Saturday radio audience about healthcare reform . The President wants reform enacted before Congress goes home in August, but devilish details are not yet resolved. Insurance companies are all in favor of mandatory coverage, but an optional public plan could drive them away from the table. Some consumer groups won’t support anything but a single-payer plan. We look at policy options, politics and efforts at cost control.
To the Point
Is This Finally the Moment for Healthcare Reform? President Obama says healthcare costs are the biggest obstacle to economic recovery, and a powerful coalition of interest groups has been assembled. The President wants reform enacted before Congress goes home in August, but devilish details are not yet resolved. Insurance companies are all in favor of mandatory coverage, but an optional public plan could drive them away from the table. Some consumer groups won't support anything but a single-payer plan. We look at policy options, politics and efforts at cost control.
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To the Point
Trump plays scolder-in-chief with NATO allies At the opening of NATO’s dramatic new headquarters in Brussels today, President Trump acknowledged that Article 5 — promising that “an attack on one nation is an attack on all” -- has only been invoked one time: in the aftermath of September 11. But the President failed to provide what 27 other Alliance members have been waiting for: a re-commitment by America’s new leader to Article 5. Instead, they got a scolding.
To the Point
Is the threat from Russia missing from the Russia meddling probe? There's much being made about the Trump administration's possible ties with Russia. But the bottom line is Russia's effort to influence American democracy. Do the President and his aides care enough to take action before voters go back to the polls?
To the Point
Terrorism and tweets, hate speech and murder Just days before an election, Britain is coping with a rash of deadly terrorism, and Prime Minister Theresa May is on the defensive. And again today, President Trump has tweeted criticism of the Mayor of London. Later, a double murder in Portland, Oregon has revealed the ugly past of a supposedly “progressive” city. One immediate question: is “hate speech” protected by the First Amendment?
To the Point
Will the Senate write a healthcare bill in secret? While Democrats and Republicans argue White House relations with Russia, another question is being decided behind closed doors: who gets help buying health insurance and who doesn't? We hear how the pros and cons are being shrouded in secrecy.