To the Point
The Politics of Health Insurance for Children
Democrats and some Republicans want to expand health insurance for children, paid for by increasing the tax on tobacco. President Bush has threatened a veto. Also, Donald Rumsfeld deflects the controversy over the death of Pat Tillman, and Saudi Arabia says it may open an embassy in Iraq.
By Warren Olney • • 1h 0m ListenDemocrats and some Republicans want to expand health insurance for children, paid for by increasing the tax on tobacco. President Bush has threatened a veto. Is it a step toward universal healthcare? Would it be "socialized medicine?" What would it mean for comprehensive healthcare reform? Also, on Capitol Hill, Donald Rumsfeld's in the hot seat over the cover-up in the death of Pat Tillman and, on Reporter's Notebook, Saudi Arabia says it might talk to Israel and open an embassy in Iraq.
In this episode
3 storiesRumsfeld Deflects the Tillman Controversy on Capitol Hill
Former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld was back on Capitol Hill today for the first time since President Bush replaced him with Robert Gates . Democrats accuse him of being part of a cover-up when former NFL star Pat Tillman was killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan. Mark Silva is covering the story for the Chicago Tribune .
Read the story6 minChildren's Healthcare Coverage Becomes 'Philosophical' Battle
President Bush and the Republican Congress created the Medicare prescription drug benefit in 2003 . No new revenue was provided to fund almost $330 billion for five years of increased costs.
Read the story35 minCondeleezza Rice Goes to Jerusalem with Saudi Backing
Recently, US Ambassador to the UN Zalmay Khalilzad said that Saudi Arabia--a Sunni country--was not doing all that it could to help stabilize the Shiite-dominated government of Iraq. Today, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal said he was "astonished" by such criticism.
Read the story9 min
