Health Care Power Play: Chat During AC360°
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Tonight on 360°, Pres. Obama's end game for health care reform. He's made some concessions and is calling on Congress to pass a bill now. We'll break it down of you. See what's in the bill and what it could mean for you and your family. Plus, we kick off a new series "Cost of Entry". Do rich candidates have a better chance of winning an election? See what Randi Kaye discovered.
Scroll down to join the live chat during the program. It's your chance to share your thoughts on tonight's headlines. Keep in mind, you have a better chance of having your comment get past our moderators if you follow our rules.
Here are some of them:
1) Keep it short (we don't have time to read a "book")
2) Don't write in ALL CAPS (there's no need to yell)
3) Use your real name (first name only is fine)
4) No links
5) Watch your language (keep it G-rated; PG at worst - and that includes $#&*)
About this Show:
Anderson Cooper goes beyond the headlines to tell stories from many points of view, so you can make up your own mind about the news. Tune in weeknights at 8 and 10 ET on CNN.
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health Care debate is shameful politics...plain and simple. Pointing fingers, posturing...inaction...the snow shut down government in Washington a and now what's the excuse?
Hello anderson, there are plenty of baby boomers out in the work force that are working a job just so they have medical benefits, if the public option for health care would be passed many of these people could retire early and thus open the job market up for the unemployed of America, its a win win for both generations!! And excuse me the health care in this country is all about the insurance companies and nothing about the people!!!
@Anne,
The Republicans doesn't want healthcare reform period, they want to just pass minor adjustments which doesn't matter for the people, only businesses... ie... physicians.
If Democrats started over, we will still face the same issues, with the republican disagreeing with the whole healthcare reform... PERIOD. We need REFORM NOW!
We're 35 in the world in longevity, 38 in the world in infant mortality, and the only industrialized country in the world without universal coverage. If I have a debilitating illness and have to stay in the hospital more than a month and can't pay my premium, I'll end up like more than 700,000 people in this country who have to declare bankruptcy and lose my house and couldn't. get coverage again because of a pre-existing condition. Are Americans really that stupid that they don't want health reform?
Great point David Gergen, every piece of major legislation in the past has had at least some bipartisan support. This is a very bad precedent.
If we really want to put the argument to rest about an Up or Down vote on Health Care and the Republican stand on reconciliation stating it will destroy the government and is extreme. All anyone has to do is go find the clip of the Republican Senator Judd Gregg on March 2005 talking up and raving about the use of Reconciliation speaking for the entire Republican Senate, and how it is the rules of the Senate and it's just a normal process etc...
Those facts will stop the garbage coming from the right so this country can get real Health Care!!!!
Im not an US citizen so I would like to know from you guys....why most of you, the public, dont support this bill????!!! Sounds like a great bill for me...looking from the outside
Whoa! William Bennett and Donna Brazil sound like they are in the WWE for a moment there! Wonder what their names would be........? 🙂
Starr, the greatest gamble is in not doing anything! Acting on reform is in the best interest of our nation. If we can alleviate the burden and stress of worrying about HC coverage, Americans can be a great deal more productive. Democrats up for election will reap the rewards of taking a stand for the interest of the nation. The Republicans are warning against voting for this legislation because once it is passed and people see the benefit they will not have a leg to stand on.
As everyday American's see their health insurance payments lowered and their routine health care costs lowered in the months ahead, they'll begin realizing passing the Health Care bill was good for them, and a good idea.
Good evening everyone. Poor David Gergen.
@Casey,
Lol! That's great!! 😀
It's still going on too! 😛
Even James & Mary are not that bad!
William Bennett is right on!!
This is a fact the stimulus funds are being misdirected after the bills are passed the system is corrupted .
Donna Brazille is wrong. Democrats froze Republicans out of this from day 1. This latest offer by Obama is just a stunt since he knows Democrats won't approve the amendments.
Listening to the People Instead of the Republicans – not true that people don't want health care reform. When polled on individual portions like, "do you want insurance reform," the polls are in favor of this. Those who think otherwise are listening to the Republicans do not do their own research.
The Republicans have said, the health care crisis is to big for them to solve, "I quote Sen. Lamar Alexander". We need a strong leader like President Obama to get this done. The Republicans will go down in defeat as cowards not to help tackle this problem that's bankrupting the American families.
Isn't it funny how the republicans say " the people dont want this" but WE, the people are saying "WE WANT THIS!"
Starr,
I think this bill be pass this week, I am praying so hard for this week, They weren't afford our health-care or insurance to pay each year.
If we can't get universal health care or the health care reform we want, why not require health insurance companies to allow members to put one adult on your plan? If you don't need to put your spouse on your plan, you can put your brother, parent, friend, etc. . . This might help a lot of people that don't have insurance or are losing their insurance.
Starting over is not a plan.
Reconciliation was good enough when it came to the Bush tax cuts...now all of a sudden when the Republicans won't play ball...it's a game breaker...imagine that!!
They as that the american people is against the healthcare Bill. We all known that the insurance industry lobbyists has their hand in both parties pockets. Politicians needs to as all the fighting and get the be passed and concentrate on the economy and employment.
It takes many millions of campaign dollars now days to introduce a unknown candidate for a State Wide election and even more for a Nation Wide election. With the inclusion of mega American Corporation campaign dollars, that changes the playing field a great deal.
republicans have years to deal with this issue while in the majority, I believe they only represent the insurance companies and their current customers and are intent for the sake of the insurance companies to shut the rest out. go by thier actions and not their words
All the people I know want the health care plan,why does the press keep saying the majority do not want this plan, I do not believe that is true or accurate.Have all the politicians drop there health ins until they come to an agreement than.
@Mike,
"Listen to the people, who DON'T want this. Start over."
How often do they listen to the people? (unless it's an election year, of course, and even then do they keep their word?)
I'd be so interested to see a segment on CNN describing government programs that republican leadership feels work well. I can't figure out if there are any services out there that our government provides that they are happy with. I assume that they think that we do a good job with our military, if we can do that well, why can't we take on health care?
I had so much hope for this adminstration. We need healthcare reform, now with a public option. If this doesn't happen, we need more independent candidates that may work for the people and not scared of republicans.
Why can't you be honest in your commentary? Why do you persistently ignore the fact that the health bill passed the Senate with a 60 vote super majority? How is that "ramming" the bill through Congress?
I think we really need some kind of health care reform. I don't think health care should be a previledge, but a right as a human being.
I hope the health bill passes.
Health care is scary for all of us americans are not scared of change, but we are scared of the effects of change. Well i feel like it is time for us Americans to lose this fear, and see that health care will well bring good effects. It will allow for good health care not to be a luxury, but a necessity that all Americans need and deserve.
Why is there just the two options....the current bills that have passed the House and Senate, or nothing? Why don't the Democrats entertain the idea of beginning again and, with true bipartisan input, craft a better bill. One that the American people can support and that will truly reduce costs for most Americans with healthcare insurance. I like the Republicans ideas of tort reform and being able to buy insurance from any insurance company anywhere in the country. That will surely bring down prices.
Ware were the republicans when our economy was failing? blaming democrats. Thats there play to scare people if Obama succeds there in trouble thats why they are fighting so hard on health care
Obama does not care about the political consequences, he cares about the American people. We should pass healthcare reform without the republicans. They represent nothing but the insurance company, Obama represents the American people.
@Jo Ann,
I think that David Gergen always makes great points!
He is able to look at both parties objectively and without such intense emotions on either side. His points are often "Fact Based" which is very much a welcome!
Amazing, House Democrats don't trust Senate Democrats. Says a lot about Democrats doesn't it?
Hello AC360, and fellow participants. Yes, it does appear that we are finally going to have HC reform however marginal. I believe the President has finally realized that leadership means doing the right thing in the face vehement oposition. I am so tired of the American populace complaining about jobs burt not willing to pay attention to the true impact that HC and entitlement programs like medicare have on the ability of our nation being able to relieve ourselves of the burden of debt accrued by the failures of Bush administration to pay for two wars. As a nation, if we don not tackle this we will have failed in our constitutional responsibility to take care of our posterity. We are on the way.
@Casey,
Very funny!!!!!! LOL 🙂
Regarding the new health care bill......I have heard reports that if the presidents health care bill passes, there will be a 500 million dollar
cut to Medicare. Do you know what those cuts would be and how this would affect the senior population of this country?????
Thankyou
Mark.....Port Charlotte Florida
It seems to me that everybody wants to live a long, healthy life. Why would health care reform not be a top priority for US nation?
@Emily – I don't know if it will pass, it's a heck of a gamble. I hope it does pass – any necessary reforms that may be needed can be addressed as we go along.
Too many Americans without coverage!
@A. Smith, a NO vote is safer for November than a YES vote. Any Dem who votes for this is living on borrowed time. Every poll says America doesn't want this bill by a big margin.
If you put a bill to give to the rich you would get every Republican to vote for it. their all for the wealthy .
Do candidates with mega million dollar war chests and high visibility with mega American Corporations producing free attack ads on their behalf, have a very distinct advantage over a underfunded opponent? YES!
I will vote against anyone who votes for this health care bill no matter what party they belong to.
Republicans should go to LA and make a movie about politics...with them...all is just political theater
I am a social worker and care about health care for all. But this is an atrocious way to do it. I am outraged. While I am an independent, my only choice now appears to be to always vote for Republicans just to protect our economy and our political process.
It should be provided with good care which one can afford!