TUESDAY, June 9 (HealthDay News) -- Minority and low-income Americans are much more likely to suffer from a chronic, debilitating illness than whites and are far less likely to have the kind of coverage that would ensure quality care, according to a new report issued Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Black, Latino and Asian lawmakers warned Democratic leaders that any health care overhaul that ignores health gaps between whites and minorities will face stiff opposition.
As Congress considers an overhaul of the nation's health care system, pressure is mounting on a small circle of Senate moderates who helped advance President Obama's economic stimulus this year.
The national debate on health care entered a new arena Tuesday, with Senate Democrats proposing a comprehensive bill that will launch a heated congressional battle to determine if America adopts universal coverage.
Senate Democrats announced plans Tuesday to begin committee work next week on health care legislation designed to assure coverage for millions of Americans who now lack it, a key objective of the Obama administration.
The health care overhaul under development by House Democrats would subsidize insurance premiums for families earning as much as four times the poverty level, while expanding Medicaid and improving its payments to health providers.
June 9 (Bloomberg) -- A health-care overhaul won?t swell the U.S. government?s deficit over 10 years, President Barack Obama ?s budget chief said, as lawmakers began assembling proposals that incorporate recommendations from the White House.
