Scott fights health care reform in Jax Jun 27, 2009
Kent Conrad, and Virginia Sens. Jim Webb and Mark Warner. (Jacksonville Business Journal, FL)
Photo Release -- Northrop Grumman and U.S. Air Force Unveil Next-Generation of High-Flying Global Hawk Unmanned Aircraft Jun 26, 2009
Kent Conrad of North Dakota. "I look forward to seeing this airframe on the Grand Forks ramp next year.". (Primezone Releases)
Dorgan's economic message Jun 26, 2009
Kent Conrad, D-N.D., was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Friday to become assistant secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management. Morin's new position will require him to be the principal adviser to the Air Force secretary and chief of staff regarding the efficient use of financial resources. (Bismarck Tribune, ND)
$1 trillion health-care bill gains in the Senate Jun 26, 2009
Senate Budget Chairman Kent Conrad, D-N.D., said the Finance Committee had reduced the overall cost of its bill by cutting subsidy levels for uninsured people. He said members had not yet resolved the issue of the so-called public option, a government alternative to private insurance, although he said discussions continued to focus on a member-owned cooperative model. (AZCentral -- News)
Finance Senators Vow to Keep Negotiating on Health Care Jun 26, 2009
Lending their names to the statement were Senate Budget Chairman Kent Conrad (D-N.D.); Health, Education, Labor and Pensions ranking member Mike Enzi (R-Wyo. and Sens. (Roll Call)
Gonzalez sponsors tax simplification bill Jun 26, 2009
Olympia J. Snowe, R-Maine and Kent Conrad, D-N.D.. The Snowe-Conrad-Gonzalez initiative has been endorsed by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the IRS National Taxpayer Advocate Service, and the U.S. Small Business Administration s Office of Advocacy. (San Antonio Business Journal, TX)
More than $70M secured for North Dakota education Jun 25, 2009
Washington Senators Kent Conrad and Byron Dorgan and Congressman Earl Pomeroy announced today that North Dakota will receive more than 70 million in federal funding to give a boost to schools across the state that are at risk of teacher shortages and budget cuts. These funds will enable our schools to attract the best teachers and keep them on staff to ensure that North Dakota s children continue to receive the quality education they need and deserve, the delegation said. (Devils Lake Daily Journal, ND)
White: Political Balance Is Shifting Against Health Care Reform — Unless Business Weighs In Jun 25, 2009
In the Senate, Budget Chairman Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) proposed to substitute some form of cooperatives for the public plan, saying he saw little prospect that the idea as originally proposed could pass in his chamber. But the cooperative approach was widely panned by health policy analysts who pointed out that it did not seem all that different, at best, from the Blue Cross/Blue Shield systems that neither control costs nor limit perverse insurer competition now. (Roll Call)
Obama takes health care push to the airwaves Jun 25, 2009
It is the cornerstone for many of us of our support," added Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Arizona. The political stakes are high for both parties. Obama is aiming to succeed where every Democratic president since Harry Truman has failed by passing universal coverage. He has raised the stakes by reiterating a promise in recent days to get a bill on his desk by this fall. Republicans are confident they can deal a major blow to Obama's young administration by derailing any major health care initiative.... (CNN -- Health)
Obama Open To Health Care Financing Ideas Jun 25, 2009
Kent Conrad, D-N.D. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari) ... Kent Conrad, D-N.D., who proposed the idea, adding that it's the only version of a public plan that stands a chance of getting Republican support. (CBS News)
Consensus on Health Elusive Jun 24, 2009
The Finance Committee, set to begin marking up its bill after the July Fourth recess, is hoping to craft a compromise built around Senate Budget Chairman Kent Conrad s (D-N.D.) proposal for medical cooperatives. But ultimately, the government-run insurance option is likely to win out because it is what most Congressional leaders, rank-and-file Democrats and Obama want. (Roll Call)
Insurance Industry Condemns Obamacare Jun 24, 2009
Baucus planned to huddle behind closed doors Tuesday with a group of senators he's dubbed the "coalition of the willing." Others involved are top committee Republican Charles Grassley of Iowa; Republicans Mike Enzi of Wyoming, Orrin Hatch of Utah and Olympia Snowe of Maine; and Democrats Kent Conrad of North Dakota and Jeff Bingaman of New Mexico. Looming large is the question of cost. (Newsmax)
South (mostly) remains in bondage Jun 24, 2009
He was greeted by a slew of senators, including Lindsey Graham, John Cornyn, Bill Nelson, Jon Kyl, John Thune, Saxby Chambliss, Mel Martinez, John Barrasso, Lamar Alexanader, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, John Kerry, Kent Conrad and Chuck Schumer. Not quite the same for a gay Senate episode like the restroom rumble of Larry Craig. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
Price of Senate's Heath Care Plan is Coming Down (5:55 p.m.) Jun 24, 2009
One senator, Kent Conrad of North Dakota, says the changes so far include reduced subsidies to help the uninsured purchase coverage, as well as other undisclosed changes. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus of Montana said Monday the total is now very close to his target of $1 trillion or less. (WTVR.com, VA)
Did Steve Jobs wallet cut transplant wait time? Jun 24, 2009
Kent Conrad, D-N.D., was the Democratic Partys chief backer of co-op health plans, which is the preferred choice of Republicans and an alternative to President Barack Obamas public option. Conrad joins MSNBCs Norah ODonnell to discuss why he would now support a compromise proposal built around the governments public plan. (MSNBC -- Health)
Dems may go it alone on gov't insurance plan Jun 23, 2009
Kent Conrad, D-N.D. said Monday. "If we do, we could easily wind up with no viable option at all.". (MSNBC -- Health)
Congress approves bill to help Devils Lake Jun 23, 2009
Washington Congress has given final approval to a bill that includes funding secured by Senators Byron Dorgan and Kent Conrad and Congressman Earl Pomeroy to help fight flooding in the Devils Lake basin. The bill also includes funding that will help North Dakota farmers and ranchers who were hit by high waters this year. (Devils Lake Daily Journal, ND)
How Obama Can Get A Health Care Deal Jun 23, 2009
Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) is pitching nonprofit insurance cooperatives - an idea could lure some Republicans and moderate Democrats - but do they fit Obamas definition of providing competition for private insurers and keeping them honest. Obama has yet to say. (CBS News)
Ensign to Face the Music Jun 23, 2009
Kent Conrad (N.D.), John Kerry (Mass. who talked with Ensign for a few minutes and shook his hand more than once, and finally Democratic Conference Vice Chairman Charles Schumer (N.Y.), who also talked to Ensign at length. (Roll Call)
Paul Krugman: Democrats balking at public health plan pose the real threat Jun 23, 2009
Kent Conrad of North Dakota offers a perfectly circular argument: We can't have the public option, because if we do, health care reform won't get the votes of senators like him. "In a 60-vote environment," he says (implicitly rejecting the idea, embraced by President Barack Obama, of bypassing the filibuster if necessary), "you've got to attract some Republicans as well as holding virtually all the Democrats together, and that, I don't believe, is possible with a pure public option.". (Sacramento Bee -- Opinion)
Can Health Coops Do the Job of a Public Plan? Jun 22, 2009
Senator Kent Conrad, the Democratic finance committee member who proposed the creation of health coops, has admitted he only came up with the idea after giving up hope that bi-partisan legislation was possible if a public health insurance plan was included. (The House, meanwhile, has released its outline of legislation with a public plan firmly in place. (Time.com)
Healthcare debate shifting to public vs. private Jun 21, 2009
So North Dakota Democrat Kent Conrad has stepped forward with another alternative to a public option. His proposal, which the Senate Finance Committee is on the verge of embracing, would allow for government-chartered but privately run nonprofit insurance cooperatives. (Boston Globe)
Highway project expands energy corridor Jun 21, 2009
Kent Conrad has heavily promoted the route and has held two federal hearings on upgrading the highway from Belle Fourche north. "He feels that there is a real need," Klewin said. (Rapid City Journal, SD)
Sickly talk about fixing health care Jun 21, 2009
Even so, all the scare-talk has Senate Democrats from the cow states, as Mencken called them Max Baucus of Montana, Kent Conrad of North Dakota, and Ben Nelson of Nebraska proposing mushy compromises involving federally chartered co-ops, as if there weren t already co-ops aplenty among the nation s estimated 1,300 health insurance companies. Alas, absent serious public competition and a mandate requiring citizens to buy health insurance as they do auto insurance, our present Rube Goldberg system... (Orangeburg Times and Democrat, SC)
The Conservative Case for Massive Government-Sponsored Health Care Jun 20, 2009
Kent Conrad, D-N.D., that would lack the clout necessary to bring health costs down to the point where coverage could be extended in any meaningful way to the uninsured and the underinsured. (Berkeley political scientist Jacob Hacker, who devised the public option, explains why Conrad's idea is a poor substitute. (Slate)
House Dems Outline Health Care Reform Plan Jun 20, 2009
and Kent Conrad, D-N.D., have eschewed a public option in favor of regional co-operatives modeled on rural electric co-ops. House lawmakers are proposing that the public option be financed only by its premiums - not requiring additional government funding - and would be subject to the same regulatory requirements as private plans, the House outline states. (SmartMoney)
Focus in health reform turns to financing options Jun 20, 2009
Kent Conrad (D-ND) that would create a system of federally-chartered co-ops that would offer non-profit alternatives to the established insurance industry. Its a question now of whether people have taken such strong stances on the pure approaches either nothing or all is it harder for people to back off these positions, said Kathleen Stoll, director of health policy for Families USA, a consumer advocacy group. (FT.com -- Markets)
Dems try to regain health care momentum Jun 20, 2009
Kent Conrad, D-N.D. "It's just slogging through options.". White House press secretary Robert Gibbs dismissed suggestions that the drive for health care overhaul had faltered, arguing that he heard similar dire warnings about the stimulus measure, the budget and a supplemental war spending bill measures that Congress eventually passed. (MSNBC -- Health)
Dorgan's economic message Jun 20, 2009
Kent Conrad, D-N.D., was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Friday to become assistant secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management. Morin's new position will require him to be the principal adviser to the Air Force secretary and chief of staff regarding the efficient use of financial resources. (Bismarck Tribune, ND)
Health Care Reform Faces Senate Setbacks Jun 19, 2009
Kent Conrad (D-N.D.), a Finance Committee member and chairman of the Senate Budget Committee. Given the score from CBO, we need more time to evaluate options and alternatives. (CBS News -- Health)
Political Grapevine Jun 18, 2009
North Dakota Senator Kent Conrad said on March 18, 2003 about President Bush's proposal that: "If the president's plan is adopted, or anything close to it, very soon our colleagues on the other side will be coming to us with massive cuts in Medicare.". Later that year, Florida Senator Bill Nelson said on September 10, 2003: "Now is not the time to call for a retreat, a surrender, by slashing Medicare payments.". (Fox News)
Kent Conrad's Co-Op Jun 18, 2009
Senator Kent Conrad (D-North Dakota) is stirring up his fellow Democrats by that perhaps Washington shouldn t grant itself a monopoly on providing health insurance. Conrad proposes that the inevitable health care reform set up a system of nonprofit insurance cooperatives (co-ops). (The American Conservative)
From CBO, major buzz kill for overhaul Jun 18, 2009
Kent Conrad, D-N.D., about the struggle to design a health insurancebill that would gain enough support to pass in the Senate ... How to achieve cost savings The CBOs next discouraging news came Tuesday in a letter to Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad, D-N.D., and the ranking Republican on the panel, New Hampshire Sen. (MSNBC -- Health)
Decoding the health care debate a glossary Jun 18, 2009
Kent Conrad, D-N.D., about the battle between Democrats and Republicans over whether to have a public or private health care system ... Co-op planUnder a proposal made by Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad, D-N.D., people without health insurance would be able to purchase it from regional co-operatives, almost like farmer co-ops. (MSNBC -- Health)
Conrad health proposal draws interest Jun 17, 2009
Kent Conrad, D-N.D., has proposed a plan that other congressional Democrats are describing as a potential bipartisan solution. North Dakota political leaders and medical providers on Thursday said they are still learning about the proposals in Washington, but said a debate over health care reform is needed. (Bismarck Tribune, ND)
CBO: Expect health 'slog' Jun 17, 2009
Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad, D-N.D., said Elmendorf's views won't hurt the overhaul effort. "It imposes a very useful discipline on the whole process," Conrad said. (USA Today)
Co-op compromise gives White House a health option Jun 16, 2009
Kent Conrad, the North Dakota Democrat who chairs the Budget Committee, has offered the co-op idea as a way to avoid a bruising and protracted political wrangle on Capitol Hill. This really isn t, to me, a matter of right or wrong, Conrad said. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Health)
Nelson: Don't Let Revisions Screw Up The Current Healthcare System Jun 16, 2009
Kent Conrad of North Dakota, chair of the Senate Budget Committee, said revisions in the healthcare system must be enacted promptly, even though long-term costs would be very high. This is simply something we must do for our families, for our businesses, for the country itself, Conrad said. (Nebraska Statepaper)
Discord grows over public health care plan Jun 16, 2009
Kent Conrad, D-N.D., has said the plans could be run by member-owned cooperatives. Participation could be limited to individuals, the self-employed and small businesses those who now have the most trouble getting affordable insurance. (USA Today -- News)
Numbers crunchers shape health reform Jun 16, 2009
Senate Budget Committee chairman Kent Conrad, D-N.D., and the committees senior Republican, Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H., have requested a CBO analysis of specific policies that have potential to transform the health care system in ways that reduce spending growth and improve quality, but may be difficult to score. (MSNBC -- Health)
Officials voice no support for health benefits tax Jun 16, 2009
Kent Conrad, D-N.D., the chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, said he doubts that there are enough votes in the Senate to support a government insurance option. He is proposing a compromise plan that would set up membership-based cooperatives using government help but not run by the government. (MSNBC -- Health)
Conrad, Moderates Push Health Care Co-Op Plan Jun 16, 2009
Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) that would avoid the need for a government-run insurance option by allowing individuals and small businesses to band together into co-ops that would compete with private insurers. LOG IN NOT A SUBSCRIBER. (Roll Call)
GOP using buzz words to taunt Democrats Jun 16, 2009
Kent Conrad, D-N.D., about the battle between Democrats and Republicans over whether to have a public or private health care system. MSNBC. (MSNBC -- Politics)
Health Care Co-Ops, D.C.'s Latest Buzz, Have Ups, Downs Jun 16, 2009
eIBD Investor's Business Daily Digital Edition. Access recent eIBD issues easily. (Investors Business Daily)
Soprano family values Jun 16, 2009
Chuck Schumer and Kent Conrad, Sen. Jay Rockefeller has a public hea. (Yahoo News -- The Sopranos)
Obama: Health care a 'ticking time bomb' Jun 16, 2009
Kent Conrad, D-N.D., talks about the battlebetween publicand private health care plans. MSNBC. (MSNBC -- Health)
The Trouble With Conrad's Compromise Jun 16, 2009
Senator Kent Conrad, D-N.D. (CBS) ... But the last couple months has featured a proliferation of putative compromise alternatives to the public plan, from creating a bunch of state plans modeled after self-insured health plans for state workers, to chartering some kind of nonprofit (national or state) plan that would be not quite governmental and not quite private, to "triggering the public plan only if the situation in American health care got too bad. (Arent we there yet?) Some of these... (CBS News)
Obama said open to taxing health benefits Jun 3, 2009
Obama said to be open to taxing health benefits. After meeting with president, key senator says option is 'on the table. (MSNBC -- Politics)
Health Battle Escalates Jun 3, 2009
It is incredibly important that we get the cost effects of all this right because we re on a course that s absolutely unsustainable, Senate Budget Chairman Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) said. It s entirely possible we could bend the cost curve the wrong way. (Roll Call)
Obama Leaves Health Benefit Tax "On Table" Jun 3, 2009
Kent Conrad, D-N.D. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari). Short Term Health Care Remedy. (CBS News -- 60 minutes II)
Obama urges Senate Democrats to settle healthcare issues Jun 3, 2009
But Republicans and some Democratic moderates fear a government-backed public option would devastate the private insurance industry, and yesterday Senator Kent Conrad, a North Dakota Democrat and chair of the Senate Budget Committee, said the party's left wing must come to grips with political reality. "At the end of the day if we want to achieve something we're going to have to understand we don't any of us get precisely what we might like," he said. (Boston Globe)
Moran Gives $175,000 to Brother in Va. Gubernatorial Race Jun 2, 2009
Kent Conrad s (D-N.D.) political action committee on May 8 and a $1,000 donation from the campaign committee of Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass. (Roll Call)
A Dangerous World Jun 1, 2009
Last week, Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) opened the door for a national sales tax. There is a growing awareness of the need for fundamental tax reform, he said, adding the Value Added Tax (VAT) should be on the table. (Human Events Online)
Editorial: Give Isakson some credit for financial inquiry Jun 1, 2009
and Kent Conrad, D-N.D., will be a worthwhile vehicle for investigating the meltdown in the country's financial and mortgage industries that precipitated the economic downturn still being felt acutely across this country ... and Kent Conrad, D-N.D., will be a worthwhile vehicle for investigating the meltdown in the country's financial and mortgage industries that precipitated the economic downturn still being felt acutely across this country. (Athens Banner-Herald)
Oil and gas exploration, development needs support May 30, 2009
Kent Conrad will continue to support exploration and development offshore and here at home, and lead the way to oppose the administration's massive tax increases on oil and natural gas producers that would result in higher energy prices for all of us in our homes and at the pump. . (Bismarck Tribune, ND)
Conrad hears comments on the need to improve U.S. Highway 85 May 30, 2009
Kent Conrad, D-N.D., oversees a formal Senate Budget Committee hearing in Williston Thursday concerning U.S. Highway 85. Area leaders and business owners testified about the need for improvements on and the potential expansion of the U.S. Highway 85 corridor at a Thursday morning Senate Budget Committee hearing convened by U.S. Sen. (Williston Daily Herald, ND)
Billions of dollars for highways May 30, 2009
Kent Conrad, D-N.D., held a field hearing in Dickinson on Thursday about the possible expansion of Highway 85 into a "high priority corridor," according to the Associated Press. If successful, the highway would be eligible for new federal and special dollars. (Bismarck Tribune, ND)
Hearing held on Highway 85 May 29, 2009
Kent Conrad held a field hearing of the U.S. Senate Budget Committee in Dickinson to take comments about how investments in the highway could boost the region's economy. Conrad says the highway is a lifeline for both the energy industry and agriculture. (Bismarck Tribune, ND)
National Sales Tax Gets Fresh Look; Rahm Emanuel's brother advises 10% VAT... May 28, 2009
Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) said in an interview. "I think a VAT and a high-end income tax have got to be on the table.". (The Drudge Report)
Hearing gathers flood testimony May 28, 2009
Kent Conrad, D-N.D., said after the hearing. "The good news here is that the levee system is very close to qualifying.". (Bismarck Tribune, ND)
Dorgan supports nominee May 27, 2009
Kent Conrad said Sotomayor's background is impressive and called her a "tough, level headed centrist" though he stopped short of a direct endorsement. He said he looks forward to meeting with the judge and learning more about her views. (Bismarck Tribune, ND)
Local family struggling to help disabled man, vet with medical costs May 27, 2009
Devils Lake Journal - News. Wednesday, May 27, 2009. (Devils Lake Daily Journal, ND)
Senators secure funding to fight Devils Lake flood: Feds will release $40 Million to May 27, 2009
Kent Conrad and Byron Dorgan announced last week that they have successfully secured emergency funding to shore up roads in the Devils Lake basin. The 40 million in federal funding approved by Congress will be used to strengthen and raise the roads acting as dams in the Devils Lake basin. (Devils Lake Daily Journal, ND)
Clean energy bill is flawed May 26, 2009
Contact your senators, Kent Conrad and Byron Dorgan, and Rep. Earl Pomeroy, and it wouldn't hurt to contact Gov. John Hoeven. (Bismarck Tribune, ND)
Remembering, honoring May 26, 2009
Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., and Kent Conrad, D-N.D., read letters recognizing the veterans and soldiers. The keynote speaker, Lt. Col. Robert Black, gave a candid talk about today's world. (Bismarck Tribune, ND)
