Stephen Finan

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democratic senators criticized low-cost, bare-bones health insurance plans on Wednesday, saying the plans designed for low-wage workers can be worse than no coverage at all.

Cost issues dog new coverage program for uninsured people with pre-existing conditions. The Obama administration is launching a special coverage program for uninsured Americans with medical problems this week, the most ambitious early investment of President Barack Obama's health care overhaul.

It's an eagerly awaited early benefit of President Barack Obama's health care overhaul: affordable coverage for Americans with medical problems who can't get a private insurer to even take a look.

Some vulnerable patients may be shut out of lower-cost health premiums available this year. It's an eagerly awaited early benefit of President Barack Obama's health care overhaul: affordable coverage for Americans with medical problems who can't get a private insurer to even take a look.

Disabled by chronic back pain and unable to afford medical insurance, Lea Walker hoped President Barack Obama's health care overhaul would close a coverage gap that has trapped her and millions of other workers.

In health overhaul, 2-year wait for Medicare remains; backup for disabled could fall short. Disabled by chronic back pain and unable to afford medical insurance, Lea Walker hoped President Barack Obama's health care overhaul would close a coverage gap that has trapped her and millions of other workers.

Disabled by chronic back pain and unable to afford medical insurance, Lea Walker hoped President Barack Obama's health care overhaul would close a coverage gap that has trapped her and millions of other workers.

In health overhaul, 2-year wait for Medicare remains; backup for disabled could fall short. Disabled by chronic back pain and unable to afford medical insurance, Lea Walker hoped President Barack Obama's health care overhaul would close a coverage gap that has trapped her and millions of other workers.

In a victory for people with cancer and other serious medical problems, the White House agreed Friday to help close a loophole in the Senate health care bill allowing annual dollar limits on their care.

Senate health care bill would allow insurers to limit coverage for seriously ill patients. In a victory for people with cancer and other serious medical problems, the White House agreed Friday to help close a loophole in the Senate health care bill allowing annual dollar limits on their care.

Senate health care bill would allow insurers to limit coverage for seriously ill patients. A loophole in the Senate health care bill would let insurers place annual dollar limits on medical care for people struggling with costly illnesses such as cancer, prompting a rebuke from patient advocates.

Senate health care bill would allow insurers to limit coverage for seriously ill patients. A loophole in the Senate health care bill would let insurers place annual dollar limits on medical care for people struggling with costly illnesses such as cancer, prompting a rebuke from patient advocates.

You're afraid your cancer is back, and a health insurance company just turned you down.

Advocates for cancer patients decry waiting period; budget for high-risk pool seen as low. You're afraid your cancer is back, and a health insurance company just turned you down.

Advocates for cancer patients decry waiting period; budget for high-risk pool seen as low. You're afraid your cancer is back, and a health insurance company just turned you down. Under the health care bills in Congress, you could apply for coverage through a new high-risk pool that President Barack Obama promises would immediately start serving patients with pre-existing medical problems. Wait a second. Read the fine print. You may have to be uninsured for six months to qualify.