President Expected To Defend Health Reform During 2012 Campaign
A former White House adviser expects President Obama to ramp up his defense of the federal health reform law during his campaign for re-election in 2012, Politico reports.
Neera Tanden -- who now is president of the Center for American Progress -- said that for now it makes sense for the president to focus on improving the economy, rather than defending the overhaul. "That's not to say he can't talk about it on occasion a little more," she said.
"Over the course of the year, he will engage in talking about specific benefits of the law," Tanden said. She pointed specifically to the overhaul's prohibition on insurers denying coverage to individuals with pre-existing conditions (Millman, Politico, 12/6).
Senators Push SCOTUS To Allow Television Cameras in Courtroom
With oral arguments over the health reform law a few months away, senators from both parties during a Senate Judiciary subcommittee hearing on Tuesday said the Supreme Court should televise their proceedings, CQ HealthBeat reports.
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Senate Majority Leader Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) have introduced legislation (S 1945)Â that would require the high court to broadcast its proceedings. In addition, Grassley and representatives from C-SPAN have sent letters to Chief Justice John Roberts asking that the health care case be televised.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) said it is unlikely that the chamber would pass legislation before oral arguments in the case. Further, she said she is uncertain about where members of the House would fall on the issue. She added that a non-binding resolution on TV coverage could be considered, which "would send a clear indication to the court that Congress is serious about it" (Norman, CQ HealthBeat, 12/6).
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