In healthcare news, independent Senator Joseph Lieberman appears to have successfully derailed the latest Senate Democratic healthcare proposal. Last week, Democrats reached agreement on a so-called “compromise” to abandon the public insurance option but expand Medicare by lowering the age of eligibility to fifty-five. Lieberman had previously said he supported Medicare expansion. But on Sunday, Lieberman surprised Democrats and announced he would now oppose the measure unless both the Medicare provision and any form of government-backed insurance plan were excluded. On Monday, Lieberman emerged from a meeting with top White House officials and Democratic senators to say he is “encouraged” his demands will be met.