Health Care Fight: What's Next – Join the Live Chat
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/01/02/liveblogfinal.copy.jpg]
Tonight on 360°, what's next in the battle over health care. Pres. Obama will sign the bill into law tomorrow. But a package of changes is headed to the Senate for reconciliation, where Republicans are vowing to do whatever they can do to stop it. We've got the raw politics. Plus, remembering a pioneering CNN photojournalist. Margaret Moth, 59, was fearless to the end.
Want more details on our health care coverage? 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 $#&*)
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Public Option, Single Payer, Funding, Total Costs, Try This.
Health Care Made Simple:
[1] Expand Social Security to cover temporary disability.
[2] Expand Medicare to cover all Americans.
[3] Shut down the insurance industry, we don’t need them any more.
A single system would be easier to monitor and would eliminate the constant bickering about who gets the “Cadillac” treatment.
Funding:
[1] Increase Social Security & Medicare payroll deduction.
[2] A Federal Sales Tax on all purchases.
[3] A combination of items [1] & [2].
Even though emotions were high and people were passionate about their views, these shout outs which are so inappropriate and hurtful need to stop. Leaders should reinforce the need for decorum and control in these settings.
I'd like to know all those Americans they speak of, that are against this bill. They certainly aren't talking to the mass for real, just some more scare tactics, to keep their money in their pockets, and the pockets of the insurance CEO's!!! Let's face it folks, they aren't really working for me, and they aren't working for you either! Stop making abortion the scape goat! No man tells me what to do with my body! It's not about abortion, just an excuse to draw in the Right To Life folk! I see through you and certainly can read between the lines! I'm pro the life that exists, that's suffering and can't get medical assistance, Now!
I have a question and I hope somebody may have the answer. Will this healthcare bill help people who do not currently have insurance? What I have been hearing is that this bill will make it illegal for insurance companies to deny coverage to people who have pre-existing conditions, and they will not be allowed to drop people either.
Is this bill extending coverage to everybody, or just making insurance cheaper? I watched the debate yesterday and I was extreamly shocked to see how the people were acting. I'm only 21 and still living a "free" life, but even I know that presentation means everything. It's so rude to speak when somebody else is speaking, it's ridiculouse how often the house speaker had to call attention.
An answer to my question would be wonderful.
-Vieanna
We all have to have car insurance, why not medical?
How is legally requiring healthcare insurance different that the laws that require you to carry car insurance?
How can this be interstate commerce, when right now health insurance can't be sold across state lines?
Victoria, they never seem to keep their word! Several have threatened to leave the country if this or that passes or is elected....but somehow or other, they don't go!! (Wasn't Prince Charles going to leave England if they outlawed his fox hunts?!!) It's grand-standing and more than a little manipulative. Childish too!!! ("I'm running away from home!")
I don't think we will know what the consequences of this vote will be until November. My representative voted for the bill so she will not be getting my vote.
@Vitor
I agree completely with you, however the Republican party does not. They want 'Free Market' to control health care so that it's a profit-making enterprise. They have a philosophy that the working poor don't pay taxes (or enough taxes) so they get nothing. If they want more, they can work for it. Personally, I've always felt that there's a quiet subtext of racism and classism there. They don't want the dirty people of color showing up at their lily-white clinics and taking care away from them .
But that's just me and I'm probably projecting a lot on them right now.
If you drive a car you have to be insured, if you own a house you have to be insured...your body should be insured!!!!! It's a need...look how all those costs went down when they became LAW.
Good evening AC. I'm happy the healthcare bill passed. No, it doesn't help everybody but I'm happy just the same as should every other real patriotic American
what kind of crap is this... every one has to be insured or else they will fine us? On top of that why are we going to make the insurance and pharmaceutical companies richer!!!
I can't afford to put my son on my insurance, I can barely afford coverage for myself. My company pays over half of my insurance and how are they going to be abel to afford to pay for all of these adults added to the company policy?
Our Goverment is getting way out of hand.
Rene
Mt.
i agree with rep. stupak, decorum and "respect" ARE important.
because we may not agree does not mean that we need to demean each other....none of us do it on this blog.
therefore, we should at least take pride in ourselves, no matter how each of us on the blog feels, we treat each other with respect.
I think a lot of people are afraid of change. Americans need change and this healthcare is a start to help America.
Hi Anderson,
President Obama made history. I am really proud of this administration. How can those Republicans can look at people in the eye and tell them that they are concerned about the cost. the fact is that most of those Republicans are on the Insurance companies payroll and of vouse they will be upset to take a pay cut
@Dulcie of Denver, interesting comment. i find that republicans are all about hate, exclusiveness, "them and us" mentality, warding off threats, watchfulness, fear, closed-mindedness (ok, not all of them) while Democrats are all about social and liberal changes, and how can we help our country become a better place, and how can we fight injustice and inequality.
My inlaws are in alignment with the hateful rhetoric surrounding the passage of this healthcare reform yet they are all covered by govt healthcare! Dad goes to the VA, mom has medicare and sister-in-law is covered by medicaid due to a disability. Where is the logic here?
a lot of people are for the health care bill or against it but few know what it's about
Shame on the Republicans! It takes courage to address the health issues in our country. Congratulations President Obama.
Good Evening Devna AC360, I'm sad to hear of CNN war zone camerawoman Margaret Gipsy Moth passed away today. She was a outstanding and courageous woman.
Doing nothing was not an option. Waiting another year was not an option. This bill is not perfect but through time I know our congressmen will mold it into a vibrant solution that will strengthen America and save lives.
Way to go America! You have the beginnings of health care reform and it took your first African American, and Democratic, President to do it. History making all round. Some of you are being dragged kicking and screaming into a new era. To those who support it – congratulations on your progressive and caring attitude.
ps – the baby killing comments are perverse.
It is always good to know what the people really think!
I find it hard to dismiss name-calling with 'Well, it's an emotional issue and everyone is tired / passionate'. Isn't that the rationale for spurned lovers who kill their victims?! I mean, come on, you can't use that for an excuse for outlandish behavior-'I'm just tired' or 'It's because I feel so strongly'. That is probably what extremists and terrorists say to themselves too!
We now know the bill is not killed what is the main real purpose of the tea baggers. We discuss this in sociology class before the start of lecture where my sociology teacher commented that if the tea partiers are indeed truly of a movement of fiscal conservatives and for small govt what they themselves are willing to sacrafice. If they themeselves want to accept the sacrafice will they themselves as individuals regret for giving up civil liberties and rights to us in the Constitution. If they want to go back to the standards of the constituion they must then understand the consequences of the sacrafices they made
The Reform Bill is a big improvement over our current system and should solve many of our problems.
What are the Republicans looking for, ratings? This isn't the UK, and it's not Monday night RAW...
@Emily – CNN was able to confirm that Rep. Randy Neugebauer of Texas shouted it out.
I teach middle school, and I am appalled at the way these congress people act. They act worse than my students, no respect.
@ allen, I thought there would be a tax cut for low income people?!
Dear Anderson, question for you, is it constitutional to force citizens to purchase health insurance? Don't we have the right to decide what we want to purchase on our own? Doesn't this conflict with the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness? What's the truth on this issue?
Good Evening,
After the passage of the Health Care Bill there seems to be a huge divsion forming in the country similar to the Civil Rights Movement. There seems to be some very hostile Republicians that will say or do anything to discredit anything Democrats say.
I am excited about health care reform. I have not had health insurance
for over 9 years simply because I couldn't afford it. I am optimistic that this bill will make it possible.
I've always voted Republican, praying for years that one of them would step up to the plate and address the health care crisis... none of them ever did. But now that the Dem's have proposed something, all of them suddenly have a "better alternative" yet I still haven't heard any of them. Why can't Americans understand what is going on? We have been at the mercy of a profit-driven system that has been broke for some time now and Americans have been brainwashed to believe there is nothing wrong.
i'm sure the "baby-killer" commenter was trying to make a point, but i think that it would have been valid to counter that point by suggesting that perhaps the yet unconceived-and-unborn theoretical babies would (at this point in time) suffer less from not having valid health-care than some of the already existing children in families who have no health care. hmm.
In theory hc reform sounds great. But when was the last time our gov. Got anything right? It will be a red tape disaster and I don't want gov. Involved in my personal HC!
US Republican Rep. John Boehner is vowing Armageddon against America if the Health Care bill is not ruled unlawful. Sound's like treason doesn't it?
If it's a great health reform bill, all of congress should be required to use it and the taxpayers no longer pay for their separate plans.
@Devna AC360°,
I watched much of the coverage last evening.
I had an article sent to me that David Frum penned today which was titled:
"Obama hands Republicans their Waterloo". I thought that it was very interesting as he said that it was their most crushing legislative defeat since the 1960s. I was really surprised to read it.
Any thoughts on his perspective?
This past weekend's monumental vote was almost overshadowed by a small percentage of people who lack the intelligence to voice their concerns about the bill. But after it passed I remember one beautiful piece of information: Rush Limbaugh stating that if we pass health care reform he is going to leave the country? I am hoping he keeps his word.
Hello, eveyone...I am excited about the Healthcare reform..Thanks to my congressman who changed from No to Yes. The way to go Congressman Driehaus
@Kimberly – Listening to CNN on XM is a great idea!
This was a long time coming. The pros most definately outweigh the cons. Thank you Dems for having the courage to see it through. This country owes you a great deal of grattitude whether they know it or not!
Thank goodness for Anderson Cooper to tell us the truth 🙂
I'm excited for this next step in health care reform, but I'm disappointed that my fantastic state (Texas) has decided to be one of the ones to file a lawsuit against this bill. As a state who has the highest number of uninsured, you'd think my governor would want this passed. I guess he'd rather waste MY money on lawsuits instead of health care for those in need.
Hi Emily,
I don't know if I consider Boehner's grandstanding passionate, but he was definitely going for the dramatics. 🙂 I truly hope he feels as passionate about the issue as he wants the American people to believe and then use that passion to work with the DEMs to further craft the legislation into something that is palatable to both sides.
I just don't understand the fact that people are arguing over the fact that the this plan requires everyone to buy insurance...doesn't the government force us to pay for social security...a plan that may be bankrupt by time I become of age to draw it. The government forces us to do alot of things already...I don't have a problem with paying into something that will help everyone.
Good evening everyone. Hope you had a nice weekend. I'm so happy about the health care bill. I know it's not perfect but it has really good parts and it's a start in the right direction. What a fight though, huh?