Yesterday, Senator Max Baucus announced his intent to implement the first round of modifications to his compromise health care legislation in order to
address concerns of affordability made by Senate Democrats, and Republican Senator Olympia Snowe. The move, which plans to reallocate $28 billion within the bill, aims to create larger subsidizes for low income individuals and lower the penalties for those who do not purchase health care coverage.

When President Obama addresses a joint session of Congress next Wednesday it won't simply be his most contentious night in the House chamber, it will also determine whether or not the Democrats will be able to reclaim the health care debate in order to pass some sort of reform. In order to do that the President is going to need to get back to the basics and explain, in painfully clear detail, what exactly he wants this reform to be. Then he needs to go out and force Congress to deliver him that piece of legislation.

Sounds likes a piece of cake, right?

Alright, so I don't think many people would argue that August was a rather...trying month for the President. Luckily he's on vacation now, but while he was in DC the place was nearly caving in around him. Congressmen couldn't stick to their talking points, angry town halls led Members to question their support, and the Republican attack machine did not miss a beat or opportunity to slam their democratic opponents for their support of health care reform.

Cuba’s so called universal healthcare system has been a private embarrassment for the communist country as most of the nation’s patients are denied even the most rudimentary access to safe and modern healthcare, yet, yesterday in a town hall meeting Congresswoman Watson heaped praise on Cuba’s healthcare.

Last week the Newell for Congress Campaign discussed the possibility of the Democrats using reconciliation to pass a health care bill in the Senate that included a public option. By using reconciliation, Senate democrats would only need a simple 50 + 1 vote to pass the bill -- And they clearly have those votes. Over the weekend that possibility took one more step towards becoming a reality, when Chuck Schumer (D-NY) appeared on "Meet the Press."

Yesterday, the Remote Area Medical Foundation is finished up an 8 day stint at the Forum in Inglewood. While in LA, the Tennessee based health care provider has brought its brand of free health care for rural communities to one of America's largest cities. Medical services at the clinic ran the gambit, from dentistry to HIV tests, but the message was clear: no matter what services patients were there to receive -- our health care system needs changing.