Health Care Fight, Dems Chasing Votes: Join the Live Chat
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/01/02/liveblogfinal.copy.jpg]
Tonight on 360°, the health care endgame. Will Democrats have enough votes to get the bill passed? Plus, Dr. Sanjay Gupta breaks down what's in the legislation and how it could impact you. We also take you to Haiti to see what's being done to help clean up the camps washed out by rain. Actor and activist Sean Penn is in Port-au-Prince with the latest developments.
Want to know what else we're covering? Read EVENING BUZZ
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 $#&*)
|
|
Filed under: Live Blog |
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.
Questions or comments? Send an email
Want to know more? Go behind the scenes with AC361°
Subscribe to the podcast
On Twitter
Search the AC360 blog
The close up on The Followers of Christ should also be done on other religions like Jehovahs Witnesses they dont believe in seeking medical help either...my friend is one...
Anderson you smile and laugh is great nice to see Erica hill
I recall the horror storys from my mother working as a LPN and being asked to look at Christian Science children with major illness's and sometimes broken bones that were left untreated for a long period of time. Seems like one child lost his arm because the bone wasn't set, he's parents brought him to the hospital after many weeks and his arm turned black! My mother was so angry she literally spit nails for a entire month!
@Bloggers,
It was great to see Erica!
She looks great. I really miss her.
Anderson, you called it "Obamacare." I really wish you wouldn't do that. It demeans a very important policy debate and decision. Republicans and Tea Party folks do these kind of things to diminish value and avoid serious discussions. We really need the media to stick with facts, and frankly, the powerful media has not been so good about that. I do appreciate your focus on the obstructionism of the Republicans. They are the ones making it almost impossible for Congress to work! Thanks for listening.
It would be cheaper to remove the Haitains than to bring aid in. Haiti says the don't have room.
We are a global village. Volunteers are needed in Aftica and other global places. Clinton-Bush Foundation should choose 5-10 charities he trusts and make arrangements with those charities to transport them to places elsewhere to offer aid. These volunteer Hatains would have shelter, their children could go to school with the children in that area. The adults could provide their talents, (building, teaching, nursing etc.) to help others in need. The may enjoy giving back to others after having the world reach out to them.
These volunteers could do this for a 6-12 month period, while those who remain in Haiti clean up and re-build.
What do you think?
awwwww.. Erica misses you AND we miss her!
So great to see Erica Hill on AC360 again!
It is time for this health care bill to pass. No, it is not a perfect bill but it makes significant improvements over what we have now. For those who go on about corruption of one party or another – this is the reality of how laws are made in this country. And Anderson has not even mentioned the lobbyists who have descended on Washington.
In terms of keeping Republicans honest – they repeatedly spew the same talking points and lies (test marketed by Mr. Lutz). There is not going to be any reduction in Medicare. However, Advantage plans that were set up solely to enrich the insurance providers, are going to be eliminated – as they should be.
In the interim, the donut hole is going to be closed. Ironically, the donut hole primarily affects middle class elderly – and not the elderly poor who receive Medicaid to offset payments for their part D and Part B plans and co-pays.
It is all complicated – and so easy for Republicans to scare those who are not willing or able to get the facts of what is actually in the bill.
If the Republicans were so concerned, they would have fixed health care long ago. But they have sold their collective souls to the health insurance industry and corporate interests across the land.
@Jo Ann,
"they should have cancelled the Oscar parties and sent the money to Haiti instead."
That would have been very impressive.
Bless Sean Penn!!!
Jeapordy Loser "L" so funny!!! Happy to see Erica!!!
Ha ha ha!! Anderson– your facial expression is priceless as you try to buzz in!
But Anderson, what about the Daily Double you missed? There wasn't any buzzer involved in that?
is that erica??? i miss her so much.....
hi erica...very glad to see you again. come back some more.
Erica Hill on 360- nice surprise – Anderson you look like your best friend just came through the door – nice...
speaking of cookies, Anderson 🙂 – today at work, i did the "Face the Cookie game" with our 3-12yold hospitalzed kids as friday is a fun day.... 1 boy caught 3 cookies; 1 girl caught 2 cookies...60 seconds. It's possible! they had ton of fun and our staff were laughing so hard watching them play! Thanks!!!!
How great to have Erica back on the show!!!
miss Erica on AC360
@Tim keep in mind that both parties get lots of campaign money from health insurance companies and pharmacuetical companies, so all of congress has always been reluctant to start regulating corporations that help them get elected. Republicans are very pro business and want them to see profits and don't like to control the free market.They voted time and time again to keep the minimum wage the same. Why working people side with them is beyond me. I always wonder, who speaks for the working person? Certainly not corporations or government.
Great work and coverage as always, Anderson.
Watched all the Haiti broadcasts and the updates are absolutely essential now that we see what the rains are doing. Most other networks have abandoned the story.
Thanks also for the coverage of the President's health care reform process. Hope it goes through.
Waves to Erica Hill, hope you are doing well wherever you found yourself.
@ Erica
I miss you! you miss a lot in AC360!
Helloooooooo Erica!!!!!
Nice see you again!!! Yay!!!! LOL!!! YES! I agree with you, Erica!!!!
Nice to see Erica on the Show!!!!!
Anderson just loves these surprises...his face is always priceless!!!
Oh Erica are you ever right! Great seeing you!
Thanks so much for the continued grass roots reporting about conditions in Haiti. As a live we live our lives here– the periodic features help us to stage engaged. Will look at J/P Haitian Relief Organ website for ways to help this month.
Btw, A local filmmaker recently confirmed that supplies are not getting through unless one has personal connections @ the airport. Orphanage keepers are BUYING USAID products.
Hi Erica!!! 😛
We Miss you SO Much!
Hope that your pregnancy is going well.
Healthcare premiums are going up each year. Some people don't feel it as much as others. Get educated on the costs of healthcare premiums. My neighbor is a state employee and contributes 1.5% of her salary for her medical plan ($100/month). I work in the private sector and contribute $500/month for similar coverage.
How is this possible? State workers have much more of the premium paid by their employer which is the state (=taxpayers=you and I). My employer covers much less of the premium for me.
We should be a country which cares for its citizens. I'm disappointed in each of us when our seniors do not get the coverage that they deserve.
Erica, we miss you on 360! Hope you are well!
The Vatican's obstruction of justice and contributing by moving known sex abusers to new locations should be a matter of European, US, UK and World Courts to determine liability, not a whitewash by the Vatican.
Erica!!!
A private group of LDS citizens is breaking ground for a new American hospital in Haiti. Construction is scheduled to start in JUne.
@ronnie- i am so sorry for your medical situation. God bless you so that you will get to medicare age.
if you are disabled, you may be eligible for social security disabily which would give you medicare now.
Rep. John Boccieri, 16th district Ohio, decided today to vote yes!! He listened to what his constituents wanted him to do, we all got on line sent emails, called. I gave him an example of how my daughter and I went without health insurance, and I worked!! when I did get some, the company put a ryder on my arthritis.We all made phone calls and talked to every one, I sent his email address to all along with phone numbers...He answered one of my emails!! SO We will campaign for him and work hard to get him re-elected.... We did some thing!!!..... Pres. Obama didn't offer him anything!! he listened to US......
Those priests are not any good!
Hearing about Molesters that are a part of the Church is sick!
He's said it before – he makes it easy for people not to like him., But damn, Sean Penn must truly have a heart of gold under the rough exterior. He makes me want to do more. Unimagineable the things that the people of Haiti are going through. I will pray (and pay what I can) for their survival. Now...how can I start a tent drive...something to contemplate over the weekend...
The Aid agencies have the money to rebuild ... but there is no land to rebuild temporary shelters. They been trying to buy property from other landowners so they can build shelters. Don't think that the money has dissappeared because it hasn't.
Jason I understand – we take much for granted in our country and I think health care is yet another one. We must be fiscally sound yet I think those against this reform may be rudely awakened as things continue to escalate. It will affect us all.
@ Anderson: When are you heading back to Haiti? Soon we hope. Maybe if they put your stories on CNNi you could help get some more international aid for Haiti. Sounds like they could use it right now.
I say pass the thing then get to the real problem facing us the job market i live in the hardest hit state too many with out jobs we need to work on this firest if you are not working then you can not buy ins.
Listening to the updates coming from Haiti is so frustrating. The earthquake occurred more than two months ago. Their people need more permanent shelter! They knew the rainy season was coming. The lack of regard for the Haitian people by their government sickens me.
@Renee, " I think these celebrity types have too many parties and newspapers to pose for to really care for human life."
What happened to all those celebrities who took part in the telethon? Why don't they donate some time in Haiti? If anyone has the time and the means to help, celebrities do!
the thing that repeatedly seems to make the most sense, as sean penn mentioned, is to make sure that the outlying areas are given support and resources for the segments of the population there or heading there. economic development in these areas is essential.
Good evening Anderson,
I am happy you are anchoring, as you explain what’s happening in the world very well, especially respectful of the people you are interviewing.
Keep smiling.
Sincerely,
Lisa L
Sydney, Australia
Only the US amongst developed countries think that access to affordable Quality healthcare is a "priviledge" or an employment "benefit". I was astonished the other day when I saw a rep congresswoman state that the obligation of an emergency room to "treat all comers" was universal heathcare access.
@ Mike: I know how you may feel about Penn. After I saw him on LKL I really did gain more respect for him. He seems to really have passion around helping people long-term and not just for the short-term "look at me" PR.
There needs to be far more cost controls, ie. tort reform to bring down the costs of medical care before the government takes over control of medical care! This bill will cost more than one trillion dollars, doesn't this bother anyone?