Health Care Reform

President Barack Obama signed the sweeping federal health care overhaul into law on March 23, 2010, but the debate over it is as fierce as ever. Congress designed this framework for revamping the nation's health care system to phase in over the next decade. Over that time, it's expected to expand health insurance coverage to more than 30 million additional Americans; help consumers better understand and compare health insurance policies; require insurers to cover pre-existing conditions; require insurers to spend at least 80 percent of their premium dollars on health care; and help fill a gap in prescription drug coverage for seniors.

The law has drawn fire from critics who argue it does little to control the soaring costs of health care. They also contend that the law is unconstitutional because it requires all Americans to purchase health care insurance. It's likely the U.S. Supreme Court will settle that legal question.

Meanwhile, public attitudes about the law remain divided as well. Depending on the poll, Americans are split or a majority favors its repeal.

Writer: Elizabeth Stawicki

Amid criticism, Pawlenty backtracks from state's rights comment
Gov. Tim Pawlenty said last night he may invoke state sovereignty to keep Minnesota from fully participating in a health care reform plan, if passed by Congress and signed by President Barack Obama. Today, he stepped back from those comments amid a chorus of criticism.September 11, 2009
Pawlenty provides 'pre-buttal' to Obama's Saturday visit
With President Obama due in Minneapolis Saturday to talk about health care reform, Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty held a news conference this afternoon to highlight Minnesota's health care system.September 10, 2009
Census: 450K people in Minnesota lack health insurance
Minnesota continues to have one of the lowest rates of people without health insurance in the United States, with about 450,000 going without.September 10, 2009
President Obama's speech to Congress about health care
President Barack Obama addressed a joint session of Congress on Wednesday night, spelling out his positions on key issues in the health care reform debate.Midday, September 10, 2009
What did we learn from the president's health care address?
Two health care policy experts join Midday to analyze President Obama's speech last night to a joint session of Congress.Midday, September 10, 2009
Three congressional town hall meetings scheduled
Residents of Minnesota's 1st, 3rd and 6th congressional districts have opportunities to discuss health care reform with their legislators in the next few days.September 10, 2009
Reaction to President Obama's health care plan
President Obama says a public option remains something he would like to see in health care bills coming out of Congress. But he also said during his address to Congress last night that he's open to other ideas. Meanwhile, members of Congress say a public option has become a tougher sell.Midmorning, September 10, 2009
Obama's health care speech: Why Minnesota?
President Obama tried to jumpstart his campaign for health care reform when he spoke to a joint session of Congress last night. And he'll continue the effort during a rally at the Target Center in Minneapolis on Saturday afternoon.September 9, 2009
Overflow crowd turns up for Bachmann health care meeting
Republican Congresswoman Michele Bachmann says she wants health care reform, but not what see views as a government takeover of health care.August 27, 2009
Thousands join Klobuchar health care phone meeting
Thousands of Minnesotans from around the state took part in a telephone town hall meeting on health care reform Sunday evening, hosted by U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar.August 23, 2009
Health care town hall contentious, but polite
Rep. Tim Walz got an earful from a packed auditorium in Mankato Thursday night.August 21, 2009
Kline's Rx for health reform: Start over
U.S. Rep. John Kline, R-Minn., on Thursday called for Democrats to scrap their health insurance reform bill and draft a new one with more input from Republicans.August 20, 2009
'Senator Health' weighs in on reform controversy
Former Republican Sen. David Durenberger, dubbed "Senator Health" when he was in the Senate, joins Midday to discuss the political and policy controversies over health care reform.Midday, August 20, 2009
Follow the health care dollar
We know we spend a lot of dollars on health care, but where does all that money actually go? That lack of detailed knowledge about one of our biggest expenses seems to not even trouble many consumers of health care, until they have to pay for it themselves.Midmorning, August 19, 2009
Are co-ops the answer to health care reform?
A North Dakota senator says nonprofit cooperatives may be the solution the country's health care problems.August 18, 2009