A pair of U.S. senators is urging colleagues to support an extension of health insurance benefits under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) through the end of November.

Young adults will be able to be covered under their parents’ health insurance until age 26, according to health care reform provisions proposed Tuesday (Oct. 13) by House Democrats, including Maryland Rep. Chris Van Hollen.

The U.S. Senate Finance Committee approved its plan for health care reform, the last of five proposals before Congress.

The cost of health insurance coverage for the average family will nearly double in the next decade if the U.S. Senate’s health care reform bill is passed, an industry trade group suggests.

Omitting a government-run health insurance program from a Senate reform bill will give private insurers “free rein” to increase premiums and “drive up the cost of federal subsidies,” according to a group of Senate Democrats.

While the Senate Finance Committee now has the price tag on its reform bill, one of the mechanisms to pay for coverage is under attack in the House.

The issue of an excise tax on private insurers was discussed by members of the Senate Finance Committee as they continue work on a health reform bill, but never reached a full conclusion.

The Senate Finance Committee has adopted an amendment from a New Jersey senator, adding a child-only health plan to a proposed health insurance exchange.

A move by Democrats to include a government-run public option in health care reform proposed by the Senate Finance Committee failed after hours of debate.

As part of a two-day effort in Maryland to sell President Barack Obama‘s health care plan, Vice President Joe Biden Tuesday (Sept. 22) told the National Association of Insurance Commissioners basic “ground rules” are needed for insurance companies.