WBRZ - Baton Rouge

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• Another round for the House on 'Obamacare'

  May 16, 2013 5:43 PM

  WASHINGTON - One more time, with feeling! The Republican-led House has voted yet again to repeal President Barack Obama's health care law, knowing full well that won't stop it. Thursday's party-line vote marked the 37th time in a little over two years that the House has voted to eliminate, defund... more »

• GOP boycotts health care advisory board

  May 9, 2013 3:15 PM

  WASHINGTON - The battle over President Barack Obama's health care law continues to play out today -- with congressional Republicans saying they won't nominate candidates for an advisory board that's supposed to play a role in holding down Medicare costs. The board would have the power to force payment cuts... more »

• Public forum held to discuss police reform in NO

  April 15, 2013 12:27 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - A public hearing in New Orleans is being held to determine the firm that will oversee the city's compliance with requirements in an agreement to reform the long-troubled police department. Monday's hearing comes even as the city tries to get out of the reform agreement it made... more »

• Jindal to speak on tax reform at session opening

  April 8, 2013 10:31 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Gov. Bobby Jindal will open the 2013 legislative session this afternoon with remarks about his tax reform plans. Jindal is scheduled to speak around 1 p.m. before the joint House and Senate, just after the two-month session opens officially at noon. The governor has proposed... more »

• Obama health law anniversary finds two Americas

  March 21, 2013 12:42 PM

  WASHINGTON - Three years, two elections, and one Supreme Court decision after President Barack Obama signed the Affordable Care Act, its promise of health care for the uninsured may be delayed or undercut in much of the country because of entrenched opposition from many Republican state leaders. In half the... more »

• GOP roadmap calls for immigration reform

  March 18, 2013 10:25 AM

  WASHINGTON - The Republican National Committee is endorsing comprehensive immigration reform as part of a multi-step roadmap designed to improve the GOP's brand among minority voters who overwhelmingly backed Democrats last fall. The committee releases a 100-page report Monday outlining dozens of recommendations. The report says Republicans - quote -... more »

• Jindal details tax reform plan at Capitol Play Video

  March 14, 2013 11:25 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Governor Bobby Jindal said the Louisiana's sales tax rate would increase from 4 percent to 5.88 percent under his plan to eliminate both the individual income tax and corporate income and franchise taxes. If approved, the tax reforms would also boost Louisiana's combined local and state... more »

• Policy group urges caution concerning tax reform Play Video

  March 4, 2013 6:35 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says Louisiana's tax structure needs to be improved. He told the Baton Rouge Press Club that any plans to elminiate state income tax will likely be permanent. Erwin says Louisiana's tax structure is complicated. That makes Louisiana's business climate... more »

• Group says Justice Dept. should supervise NOPD

  February 21, 2013 7:55 AM

  NEW ORLEANS - A community group in New Orleans says the city should not be allowed to get out of a court-backed agreement to reform the police department. "Community United for Change" filed papers in federal court Wednesday opposing the city's move to vacate the agreement. Instead, the group... more »

• Jindal says he won't reconsider Medicaid expansion

  February 14, 2013 3:38 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Gov. Bobby Jindal is holding firm to his decision not to expand Louisiana's Medicaid coverage under new health care reforms, despite the participation of several other Republican governors. Jindal said Thursday he won't be including the federal funding for a Medicaid expansion in his state budget proposal... more »

• NFL greats appear in PSA favoring gun law reforms

  February 8, 2013 3:31 PM

  NEW YORK - Emmitt Smith, Deion Sanders and other big-name NFL players appeared in a public service announcement in favor of reforming gun laws. The legends are joined by Michael Irvin, LaDainian Tomlinson and Marshall Faulk in the ad, which is paid for by Mayors Against Illegal Guns. The... more »

• DHH: Hospice program to stay open, get reforms Play Video

  January 23, 2013 4:40 PM

  BATON ROUGE - State health officials announced late this afternoon that the Medicaid Hospice Program would not end on Feb. 1 as scheduled. Secretary Bruce Greenstein with the Dept. Of Health and Hospitals said enough money from existing grants had been found to keep the program going until reforms... more »

• Judge grants preliminary OK for NO jail reforms

  January 23, 2013 6:36 AM

  NEW ORLEANS - A federal judge has granted preliminary approval of an agreement between the Justice Department and the city of New Orleans that's designed to clean up the city-funded jail. The consent decree with Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman calls for him to provide adequate medical and mental... more »

• Insurers may prove choosy with overhaul exchanges

  January 17, 2013 3:36 PM

  UNDATED - UnitedHealth CEO Stephen Hemsley is warning analysts not to assume that the insurer will participate widely in a key health care overhaul coverage expansion that unfolds later this year. State-based exchanges will debut this fall and allow people to sign up for coverage online, with some using income-based... more »

• Tweaks planned for teacher evaluation system

  January 16, 2013 4:44 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana's Board of Elementary and Secondary Education is expected to approve modest changes to the state's method for evaluating public school teachers, after a board committee backed the ideas. The changes were recommended by Superintendent of Education John White, tweaking a system that links half a teacher's... more »

• More teachers retiring after education reforms Play Video

  January 15, 2013 6:35 PM

  BATON ROUGE- More teachers are leaving the profession than ever before as the number of educators retiring increased more than 25 percent. Some think it's because of the governor's education reforms, which would evaluate teachers' effectiveness based on student performance. "Right now, what is perceived to be very... more »

• Govt appeals judge's contraceptive mandate ruling

  January 15, 2013 4:30 PM

  WASHINGTON - The Obama administration is appealing a judge's order that is temporarily preventing the government from forcing a Christian publishing company to provide its employees with certain contraceptives under the new health care law. In November, U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton granted a preliminary injunction sought by Tyndale House... more »

• Rate of Louisiana teachers retiring spikes

  January 14, 2013 9:14 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The number of teachers retiring jumped more than 25 percent as the administration of Gov. Bobby Jindal pushed an overhaul of public education that changes the rules on how teachers are evaluated. That's according to the Teachers Retirement System of Louisiana. The number of retirements from... more »

• Union: Prosecutor's posts taint police reforms

  January 4, 2013 4:00 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - A group representing rank-and-file New Orleans police officers says a scandal spawned by a federal prosecutor's anonymous posts on a newspaper's website has poisoned a sweeping agreement to clean up the city's troubled police department. A court filing Friday by the Police Association of New Orleans urges... more »

• Portion of teacher reforms ruled unconstitutional Play Video

  December 18, 2012 2:01 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A judge upheld most of Gov. Jindal's education reforms targeting teachers in Louisiana today. The judge upheld three sections of Act 1, also called the ' Talent Act ', which make it tougher for teachers to get tenure and did away with teacher pay scales, instead... more »

• Education reform package in court again Play Video

  December 17, 2012 4:59 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The Louisiana Federation for Teachers is challenging another part of Governor Jindal's education reform package, this time taking aim at the constitutionality of a portion dubbed the 'talent act.' The act deals with teacher tenure, hiring, firing and evaluations. New rules allow the Superintendent to hire... more »

• Utah Gov asks Obama to approve state's exchange

  December 11, 2012 2:31 PM

  SALT LAKE CITY - Utah Governor Gary Herbert is asking President Barack Obama to approve the state's health insurance exchange and declare that it meets the requirements of the federal health overhaul. Herbert sent the letter Tuesday ahead of Friday's deadline for states to decide if they'll do their own... more »

• Feds rule on health care law's Medicaid expansion

  December 10, 2012 3:30 PM

  WASHINGTON - The Obama administration says Republican-led states must commit to fully expanding their Medicaid programs to take advantage of generous funding in the federal health care law. Monday's ruling affects the federal-state program that covers nearly 60 million low-income and severely disabled people. President Barack Obama's health care law... more »

• Feds propose fee on health insurers in new market

  November 30, 2012 3:58 PM

  WASHINGTON - Health insurance companies will have to pay to play in new health insurance markets coming under President Barack Obama's health care law. The federal Health and Human Services department said Friday it is proposing a "user fee" amounting to 3.5 percent of premiums for health insurers who want... more »

• Government extends deadline for health care decision

  November 15, 2012 5:11 PM

  WASHINGTON - The Obama administration has given states another month to decide what role, if any, they'll play in carrying out the new health care law. Instead of having to declare their intentions by Friday, states now have until Dec. 14, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said in... more »

• Obama: Immigration reform to start early next year

  November 14, 2012 2:14 PM

  WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama says America must "seize the moment" to seek an overhaul of the immigration system and he expects that work to start soon after his inauguration for a second term. In his first news conference after winning re-election, Obama says conversations are already taking place among... more »

• States get more time to work on health care plans

  November 9, 2012 3:49 PM

  WASHINGTON - Many states are still on the fence about President Barack Obama's health care law. Now the administration says governors can have more time. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said in a letter to governors Friday that she still wants to hear by the end of next... more »

• State lawmakers looking for compromise with federal health care plan Play Video

  November 8, 2012 5:51 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Some state lawmakers hope Governor Bobby Jindal will help work through issues with President Obama's healthcare reforms, now that the election is over. The health care plan is aimed at guaranteeing health care coverage for the uninsured, among other reforms. Governor Jindal had previously stated he... more »

• White: 4 districts violating anti-seniority law

  October 18, 2012 2:24 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - Louisiana Education Superintendent John White says four school districts are not complying with a law forbidding seniority-based teacher layoffs. But officials with those districts - St. Martin, St. Tammany, Vermilion and St. Bernard - say their systems comply with the law, by giving seniority a low priority... more »

• Revamp of New Orleans PD comprehensive, expensive

  July 25, 2012 8:12 AM

  NEW ORLEANS - A court-backed plan to excise corruption, discrimination and a frequent use of deadly force from the long-troubled New Orleans Police Department will last at least four years and likely cost the financially strapped city $11 million annually. Attorney General Eric Holder says the agreement is the... more »

• Romney, Obama look to use court ruling to their advantage

  June 28, 2012 11:34 AM

  WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney are both gearing up to use today's Supreme Court decision on health care for political gain. Romney, an opponent of the law, is planning to cast himself as the best hope for millions of Americans who favor the law's repeal. He says... more »

• Dissenters say entire law was invalid

  June 28, 2012 11:33 AM

  WASHINGTON - The ruling that upheld the vast majority of President Barack Obama's health care overhaul came from the court's four liberal justices, joined by Chief Justice John Roberts. The dissenters were Justices Samuel Alito, Anthony Kennedy, Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas. In a joint statement, they said, "The act... more »

• Local doctors, patients still have reform questions

  June 28, 2012 11:06 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Local doctors and their patients still have questions about what today's Supreme Court ruling over healthcare reform means to them. Many people with pre-existing conditions have been able to get insurance after the Affordable Care Act was passed and signed into law. Today's ruling upheld the... more »

• Jindal: GOP must push for health care law repeal

  June 28, 2012 10:47 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Gov. Bobby Jindal says the GOP must push for a full repeal of President Barack Obama's health care law, after it was upheld by the Supreme Court. The Republican Louisiana governor said Americans don't want the health care overhaul. He said it will decrease the quality of... more »

• Jindal's former counsel hired for education suits

  June 22, 2012 4:44 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Gov. Bobby Jindal has tapped his former chief lawyer to defend the governor's education laws in court. Jimmy Faircloth is the attorney representing the state, the education department and the state education board in lawsuits seeking to throw out the governor's signature education policies, including the creation... more »

• More teachers filing suit to stop education changes Play Video

  June 21, 2012 3:27 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Teachers say new education laws touted by Governor Bobby Jindal do not support them, despite what Jindal's administration may say, and they're filing a lawsuit to stop the laws from going into effect. The Louisiana Association of Educators plan to file the suit tomorrow morning in... more »

• Another law suit against education reform laws

  June 21, 2012 12:19 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Another law suit is about to be filed against Governor Jindal's education reform laws. Leaders of the Louisiana Association of Educators will officially file suit, tomorrow, Friday 6/22, challenging the constitutionality. The education reform bills were approved during 2012 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature.... more »

• Florida to carry out health law if upheld by court

  June 20, 2012 12:29 PM

  WASHINGTON - Florida's Republican governor - one of the staunchest opponents of President Barack Obama's health care overhaul - says his state will carry out the law if the Supreme Court upholds it. Gov. Rick Scott told reporters Wednesday "if it is the law of the land, then we are... more »

• Gov't report: health cost relief only temporary

  June 12, 2012 3:07 PM

  WASHINGTON - The nation's been enjoying a respite from rising health care costs, but government experts say don't look for it to last. Health care spending will grow faster than the economy for the foreseeable future, says a report Tuesday from Medicare's nonpartisan economic analysts. President Barack Obama's health care... more »

• Teachers file lawsuits against governor's education reform plan Play Video

  June 7, 2012 6:36 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The state's largest teacher associations among others filed two lawsuits Thursday morning challenging parts of Governor Bobby Jindal's education reform plan. It took the Louisiana Federation of Teachers and other smaller teacher groups less than an hour to file two lawsuits at the 19th Judicial District... more »

• House approves GOP bill repealing medical tax

  June 7, 2012 4:49 PM

  WASHINGTON - The House has shrugged off a veto threat and passed legislation repealing a tax on companies that produce many medical devices sold in the United States. Lawmakers approved the measure 270-146. Majority Republicans won support from three-dozen Democrats representing states where medical equipment makers have a heavy presence... more »

• Groups opposed to governor's pension reform meet at capitol Play Video

  April 23, 2012 5:53 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Representatives for Louisiana state workers, firefighters and Baton Rouge police gathered at the Capitol to oppose Governor Bobby Jindal's pension reform package. The group gathered minutes after a senate committee rejected a bill making it easier for the retirement system to be changed. The governor says a... more »

• State retirement bill debate underway

  April 23, 2012 12:00 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Another component of Governor Bobby Jindal pension reform plan is scheduled for debate in the Senate Retirement Committee. It calls for a constitutional amendment to change state employees from a defined benefit retirement plan to a defined contribution plan. Groups opposed to the plan are also... more »

• Who voted for and against the voucher and tenure reforms?

  April 6, 2012 10:45 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The state House approved amendments to both of Gov. Bobby Jindal's education reform measures Thursday, sending sweeping changes to the state's school system to his desk for signature. The House passed a measure to create a statewide voucher program by a 60-42 vote. A second measure... more »

• Pension reform bills could be the next big battle at the Capitol

  April 6, 2012 10:33 AM

  BATON ROUGE- There could be action next week on bills that are part of Governor Jindal's pension reform plans for state workers. The bills would force state workers to pay more into their retirement system. They would also raise the retirement age for some state employees to 67. We'll... more »

• Teachers at Capitol rallying against education reform Play Video

  April 4, 2012 8:46 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Teachers from across the state are gathered on the Capitol steps Wednesday to rally against Gov. Bobby Jindal's education reform plan. The full senate will debate and possibly vote on the state-wide voucher program and teacher tenure. Thousands of teachers are expected to gather on... more »

• Senate panel Oks Jindal education bills Play Video

  March 29, 2012 5:35 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The Senate Education Committee has approved the two major pieces of Gov. Bobby Jindal's education agenda. One establishes a statewide private school voucher program and paves the way for easier creation of charter schools. Another overhauls the role of school boards, superintendents and principals in the hiring... more »

• Education reforms bills advance in LA House

  March 23, 2012 10:40 AM

  BATON ROUGE- Governor Bobby Jindal's educational reform package passes another hurdle after another late night debate. The bills make sweeping changes to teacher tenure and establishes a voucher program. It is designed to help students in poor performing public schools attend private schools with the use of public money. ... more »

• Critics question reason for Jindal reform

  March 16, 2012 10:43 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Talk about what's behind Governor Jindal's education revamp is growing. There's harsh criticism for Governor Bobby Jindal's education plan online. Bloggers say changes are nearly identical to ones pushed in several different states, calling it cookie-cutter legislation backed by big business. "Major foundations, Wall Street hedge... more »

• Teachers rally on steps of State Capitol Play Video

  March 14, 2012 6:39 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A sea of red flooded the steps of the State Capitol as hundreds of educators showed their stern opposition for parts of Governor Jindal's education reform plan. As early as 7:00am, teacher and principals wearing red shirts from across the state took their places as they... more »

• Teachers rally on Capitol steps

  March 14, 2012 7:44 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Teachers at the Louisiana State Capitol are rallying today against Governor Jindal's education reform bill. Three of the bills that make up most of Jindal's education agenda will be heard for the first time in the House Education Committee at 8:30 a.m. Governor Jindal is... more »

• Jindal reform on fast track through legislature, teachers' union upset

  March 12, 2012 10:29 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Teachers' unions across the state are calling Governor Bobby Jindal irresponsible for sending education reform bills into committees so early on in the session. Teachers were planning to take their opinions about the governor's changes to legislators well in advance of any votes, however, conversations are scheduled... more »

• Students dislike governor's reform plan Play Video

  March 5, 2012 10:35 PM

  BATON ROUGE- A handful of Glen Oaks High School students, opposed to Governor Bobby Jindal's school reform agenda, are sharing their dislikes with the community. The "Voices Against the Reform" group told about 100 other students, parents and school leaders they feel the governor's plan doesn't consider every student... more »

• Lawmaker defers controversial immigration bill

  May 25, 2011 4:22 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A Republican lawmaker has withdrawn his sweeping immigration enforcement proposal from debate this session. After hearing testimony Wednesday against the bill from law enforcement and immigrant rights advocates, Rep. Joe Harrison, of Napoleonville, deferred his proposal. The measure would have required providers of public benefits... more »

• Health Chief: Medicare pay must reflect results

  January 26, 2011 11:25 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The state's health chief says Louisiana must change its health care system for the poor by tying the money that supports it to improving the health of its patients. Department of Health and Hospitals Secretary Bruce Greenstein said that the state's Medicaid rolls have grown 12 percent... more »

• Pew Center will review La. criminal justice system

  January 20, 2011 5:43 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Governor Bobby Jindal announced today that the Pew Center on the States will begin researching the Louisiana prison system and suggest reforms for its sentencing policies. Pew officials said they chose to work with Louisiana because the state has problems and has shown a commitment to... more »

• 20 states ask judge to throw out Obama health law

  December 16, 2010 1:27 PM

  PENSACOLA, Fla. - Attorneys for 20 states fighting the new federal health care law told a judge Thursday it will expand the government's powers in dangerous and unintended ways. The states want U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson to issue a summary judgment throwing out the health care law without a... more »

• WH: Health care ruling does not create uncertainty

  December 13, 2010 1:09 PM

  WASHINGTON - The White House says it disagrees with a Virginia judge's ruling declaring a key provision of President Barack Obama's health care law unconstitutional. But officials say it does not create uncertainty about the implementation of the law's provisions. "Our belief is that when all the legal wrangling is... more »

• La. suing against reforms while accepting federal dollars

  August 31, 2010 10:11 PM

  Louisiana gets federal money from health care reform, but it is one of 20 states suing to block the new law. It seems a little hypocritical to some, including Warren McAlvain, who said he wants to know why the state is taking the money with one hand and shaking its... more »

• Some states suing feds also claim health reform subsidies

  August 31, 2010 10:18 AM

  Some states suing to toss out President Barack Obama's health care overhaul law are also lining up to claim a share of its subsidies for the medical costs of retired employees. An administration official says seven states suing the federal government applied for and will receive subsidies to help... more »

• Experts ask why Louisiana wasn't a "Race to the Top" winner

  August 25, 2010 1:59 PM

  An article on The Christian Science Monitor's website is attempting to answer what many in Louisiana have been asking after the latest winners were announced in the "Race to the Top" competition. Why wasn't Louisiana, which has been recently praised for education reform, among those getting a slice of... more »

• Legislative update: Health care reform

  April 20, 2010 11:38 AM

  A bill that would attempt to nullify the national health care overhaul narrowly made it out of the House Insurance Committee. The committee voted 5-4 to allow the bill to move on. It's backed by Governor Jindal. The bill says Congress cannot force a person to have insurance... more »

• La. to reapply for Race to the Top money

  April 16, 2010 3:30 AM

  Louisiana isn't giving up on federal grant money for school reform after missing out in the first round. The state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education voted Thursday to support a rewritten application to "Race to the Top". Another $175 million is available through the federal program. The money... more »

• Health care debate at the Capitol

  March 29, 2010 6:42 PM

  Health care opponents took to the Capitol steps today to protest Federal health care reform. Among the crowd, Louisiana State Senator A.G. Crowe, author of senate bill 26. News 2's Luke Margolis was at the Capitol and gets answers on why the bill, even if it passes the... more »

• State lawmaker wants health care lawsuit dropped

  March 25, 2010 11:53 PM

  State Rep. Cedric Richmond, D-New Orleans, wants Louisiana to withdraw from the lawsuit against the recent health care reform law. Attorney General Buddy Caldwell joined 12 other states Tuesday in filing the lawsuit. The day before, Governor Bobby Jindal asked him to research and pursue challenges to the law.... more »

• Obama to sign health care bill

  March 23, 2010 5:24 AM

  President Barack Obama will surround himself with aides, Cabinet members and Democratic leaders as he signs the health care bill into law. But he'll have more work to do after signing the legislation into law. Obama plans to make trips around the country, starting with Iowa Thursday, to try to... more »

• Local business discusses impact of health care reform

  March 22, 2010 5:15 PM

  Many small business owners are concerned about health care reform because they say they don't have the extra cash lying around to pay for expenses. By 2014, most Americans will have to have health care insurance or pay a fine. Small business owners in this area say the cost... more »

• U.S. Rep. Bill Cassidy weighs in on health care reform

  March 22, 2010 5:07 PM

  No congresspeople from Louisiana voted for health care reform, including Democrat Charlie Melancon. Monday, U.S. Representative Bill Cassidy discussed how Republicans plan to keep battling the reform. more »

• AG: No decision on opposing health care overhaul

  March 22, 2010 11:29 AM

  Louisiana Attorney General Buddy Caldwell says he hasn't decided if he'll challenge the health care reform bill approved this weekend. Caldwell says he's got his top staff researching the issue and he's conferring with other attorneys general around the country. State lawmakers - who begin their annual legislative session next... more »

• Health care reform local impact

  March 22, 2010 10:33 AM

  News 2's Luke Margolis talks to small business owners, doctors and patients with pre-existing injuries to find out how the passage of healthcare reform affects you. He'll have the latest, live on News 2 at 4, 5 and 6. more »

• Cao joins rest of delegation against health revamp

  March 19, 2010 2:14 PM

  Congressman Anh "Joseph" Cao, the only Republican to vote for a Democrat-backed health care overhaul late last year, doesn't expect to do so again when the Senate version comes up for a vote this weekend. Cao says he's "pretty much a definite no." Absent a late change of... more »

• Senator wants La. to reject health care overhaul

  March 8, 2010 5:26 PM

  A Louisiana lawmaker is attempting to nullify the congressional health care overhaul, if it passes. State Sen. A.G. Crowe, a Republican from Slidell, has proposed a bill that asserts states' rights to refuse the federal mandates proposed in the congressional Democrats' health care legislation. Crowe's bill is called... more »

• La. senators split over health care reform

  March 4, 2010 5:05 AM

  Louisiana's U.S. senators are split down party lines over President Barack Obama's proposal for a vote on a health care overhaul. Democrat Sen. Mary Landrieu favors going ahead with the vote while Sen. David Vitter doesn't. President Barack Obama wants Congress to use the so-called reconciliation process, which would let... more »

• Senate passes health care bill

  December 24, 2009 8:14 AM

  A historic vote was made Thursday morning in Washington to reform health care in America. Just after 6 a.m. the U.S. Senate passed the $871 billion bill by a 60-39 vote. President Barack Obama praised the Senate passage of the bill, saying the government is now "finally poised to deliver... more »

• Senate to vote on abortion issue

  December 7, 2009 8:58 AM

  The issue of abortion comes to the forefront of the health care reform debate today in the Senate. The House last month adopted language that would bar federally-subsidized health insurance plans from covering abortion, even if the procedures were entirely paid for with customers' premiums. The Senate today... more »

• Vitter town hall meeting met with protest

  October 31, 2009 4:12 PM

  Senator David Vitter held a health care forum Saturday morning at Westdale Middle School in Baton Rouge. More than 100 people showed up to the forum to voice concerns to Sen. Vitter. "People need to be heard," said Sen. Vitter. "I think people's biggest frustration is that so... more »

• Health care reform debate continues

  October 19, 2009 10:10 PM

  The Baton Rouge Tea Party held another in a series of town hall meetings regarding health care reform. Congressman Bill Cassidy served as keynote speaker. Turnout paled in comparison to this past summer's more lively events. But it was clear that people are still fired up over the issue,... more »

• Health bill will cover 94 percent

  October 7, 2009 8:23 PM

  The non-partisan congressional budget office says a proposed Senate health-care overhaul would expand coverage to 94 percent of eligible Americans and would help reduce federal deficits. The CBO analysis puts the 10-year pricetag at $829 billion dollars. The Senate Finance Committee version of the controversial reform shuns a provision for... more »

• Senate panel rejects public option plan for second time

  September 29, 2009 4:51 PM

  Liberal Democrats have failed, for the second time, to make the government-run insurance option part of the legislation coming out of the Senate Finance Committee. Democrat Max Baucus, who has created his own centrist proposal, was among those who voted against the public option. Centrist Democrats hope than a... more »