NPR 2010-03-03

From NPR News in Washington, I’m Renita Jablonsky.

President Obama is revising his health overhaul 1 plan to add some Republican proposals. But as NPR’s Julie Rovner reports, they’re not likely to win many new votes.

Mr. Obama said the changes were prompted by the day-long discussions last Thursday at Blair House. Among the GOP proposals he wants to adopt are ones to ensure that doctors will be paid more to serve patients in the Medicaid program for the poor, and that funding to help states exploring new ways to resolve medical malpractice disputes will be guaranteed. Other proposals would expand fraud fighting efforts and help make health savings 2 account available in the new insurance marketplaces the bill would create. But the president in his letter to congressional leaders made it clear he does not want to start over, nor does he intend to pursue what he called “piecemeal reform”. That will probably ensure they’re going forward. The bill will continue to lack any Republican support. Julie Rovner, NPR News, Washington.

Meanwhile, President Obama announced details of a proposed energy rebate 3 program during a visit to Georgia. He says it would reward people who buy energy-saving equipment with a rebate of 1,000 dollars or more. The president told the audience at Savannah Technical College, he hopes the programs boost demand for things like insulation 4 and water heaters and jobs for Americans. “When it comes to domestic policy, I have no more important job as president than seeing to it that every American who wants to work and is able to work can find a job.” The so-called “Home Start” Rebate program needs the approval of Congress.

US aid to earthquake-damaged Chile is being worked out today after a visit by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Clinton arrived in the capital of Santiago with satellite phones and a technician. She says it’s a first part of what will be substantial US relief assistance.

The head of the US Postal 5 Service says post offices will need to close and Saturday deliveries eliminated, if the service is to avoid drowning in red ink. NPR’s Brian Naylor has more.

Studies commissioned by the Postal Service forecast 238 billion dollars in losses over the next ten years, unless the service changes the way it does business. More consumers turning to online bill paying and emails combined with the recession has meant sharply reduced mail volume. Postmaster General John Potter says the way out will involve a combination of factors. “We’re talking about wholesale 6 closing of every post office in America. I’m talking about giving management the choice to make decisions that are in the best interest of consumers.” It will be up to Congress to approve the changes and closing post offices is expected to be a tough sell to many lawmakers, especially those representing rural areas. Brian Naylor, NPR News, Washington.

On Wall Street, the Dow Jones Industrial Average is up 40 points at 10,443; the NASDAQ is up 17 points.

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Toyota executives are again in front of lawmakers on Capitol Hill. The company’s North American president says an overhaul of the automaker will give North American officials more authority to make decisions about recalls. In prepared testimony 7 for the US Senate Committee hearing, he says Toyota will better share quality and safety information across its operations and with regulators. Toyota’s recalled more than eight million vehicles, most in the US for unintended acceleration 8 and braking problems. 

On a visit to Paris, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev urged French investors 10 to help modernize 11 the Russian economy. Eleanor Beardsley reports from Paris.

On the second day of a state visit, Medvedev hailed an unprecedented 12 Franco-Russian economic partnership 13 that includes new energy, transport and military deals. French investment in Russia topped ten billion dollars and trade between the two countries increased five-fold in as many years. France is now Russia’s sixth biggest investor 9 but still lags far behind Russia’s No.1 business partner, Germany, but France is wasting no time trying to catch up. French energy giant GDF Suez sighed a deal with Gazprom, the world’s biggest gas firm to take part in a new pipeline 14 pumping gas from Russia to Western Europe. And President Nicolas Sarkozy confirmed that France is in negotiations 15 to sell Russia four advanced warships 16. For NPR News, I’m Eleanor Beardsley in Paris.

Kentucky Senator Jim Bunning is again blocking the Senate from extending unemployment benefits. The Republican objected to a request today by fellow Republican Susan Collins of Maine to pass 30-day extension of benefits. It would also extend highway programs and other expired measures.

I’m Renita Jablonsky, NPR News from Washington.