#Health Care

Many Americans ask why it is so difficult to rein in federal spending. Former U.S. Sen. John Danforth and Concord Coalition Executive Director Robert L. Bixby have a suggestion: “Perhaps they should look in the mirror.”That’s because nearly two thirds…

After Republicans and Democrats on the new super committee held separate discussions last week, the co-chairs announced that the full panel would hold its first meeting this Thursday. It is expected to focus on organizational issues and opening statements from…

New projections from the Congressional Budget Office show a potential path to significantly reduce federal deficits over the next decade. But it would require elected officials to either stick to current law or find ways to offset any deviation from…

As congressional hearings last week made clear, some lawmakers in both parties continue to chafe at a key cost-control element in last year’s health care legislation: an advisory panel that several years from now could help curb excessive Medicare spending.Critics…

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell continue to work on a plan that would let President Obama raise the federal debt limit in increments while allowing congressional Republicans to repeatedly vote against the increases.Recent reports…

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released projections last week that Concord Coalition Executive Director Robert L. Bixby said confirms that federal finances “are on an unsustainable course that threatens our economic future, risks turmoil in the financial markets, and burdens…

Much of the political debate over health care costs continues to focus on who should pay them rather than how to curb their growth. Republicans want private insurers and individuals to pay while Democrats want the government to be the…

A shorter version of this column is featured on CNNMoney.com.It is often said that the most expensive piece of medical equipment is the doctor’s pen. Unfortunately, after more than two years of intense debate about health care costs in Washington,…