Evening Buzz: Your Health, Your Future
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/POLITICS/03/23/health.care.main/c1main.obamawavebill.gi.jpg caption=" President Obama signed sweeping health care reform legislation into law Tuesday at the White House." width=300 height=169]
Maureen Miller
AC360° Writer
With a stroke of 22 pens, Pres. Obama signed the health care bill into law today. Most of the pens were given away as mementos. Though, two are now part of the National Archives.
"That our generation is able to succeed in passing this reform is a testament to the persistence and the character of the American people who championed this cause, who mobilized, who organized, who believed that people who love this country can change it," Pres. Obama said at the White House. "It's also a testament to the historic leadership and uncommon courage of the men and women of the United States Congress who've taken their lumps during this difficult debate," he added in direct reference to the more than 200 Democratic lawmakers at today’s ceremony.
That’s when Rep. Gary Ackerman, D-New York, shouted "Yes, we did!" - a play on Mr. Obama's campaign slogan of "Yes we can." At that point, there were a lot of laughs.
A light-hearted moment, but back on Capitol Hill there's heated debate in the Senate over the package of so-called "fixes." Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas had a message for Pres. Obama.
"He's going to take a victory lap on a bill the American people don't want because they know we can't afford it," he said.
Is the fight about what's best for Americans or pure politics? CNN's Dana Bash is keeping them honest.
We'll also give you an up close look at how the new legislation affects three families - working class, middle class and wealthy. Tom Foreman's report may give you a sense of how the new law will affect your life.
With health care in the headlines, we'll also bring you our new series "Kids in Peril: Obesity in America." 360's Randi Kaye will introduce you to 14-year-old Maria Caprigno, who's been battling a weight problem most of her life. At age 4 she weighed 79 pounds, as much as a 7 year old. By the time she was 7, she was 168 pounds. At 9, she weighed 250. At 14, she topped out at 445 pounds. See how she's fighting to slim down.
Maria is not alone. According to the CDC, teen obesity rates have tripled since 1980. One third of America's youth is overweight.
For tonight's shot, see how a family dog helped a newborn baby. To some people, this pooch could be a star on "American Idol."
Join us for these stories and much more starting at 10 P.M. ET. See you then.
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Filed under: Maureen Miller • The Buzz |
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Health insurance reforms – Starting this year, health insurance carriers would be forbidden from placing lifetime dollar limits on policies, from denying coverage to children because of pre-existing conditions, and from canceling policies because someone gets sick. Parents would be able to keep older kids on their health insurance coverage up to age 26. A new high-risk pool would offer coverage to uninsured people with medical problems until 2014, when the coverage expansion goes into high gear. Major consumer safeguards would also take effect in 2014. Health insurance providers would be prohibited from denying coverage to people with medical problems or charging them more. Health insurance carriers could not charge women more.
SO WHY IS THIS A BAD THING BECUASE BUSH AND OTHER REP. DIDNT DO IT FIRST???????
Hmm. Let the games begin. If the opposition is going to introduce silly amendments (e.g., Viagra etc.) to try to embarrass supporters of the pending Senate reconciliation ("fix it") bill, then I'd recommend the following strategy to Majority Leader Harry Reid:
Introduce a separate bill to be voted on before the reconciliation bill that says, as a budget matter, if any Senate Republican votes against the reconciliation bill (or votes against this separate precursor bill) all Senate Republicans will be deemed to have immediately resigned from the Senate, pledge their entire personal net worth and any and all moneys in their fund raising coffers to reduce the deficit, and publicly pledges their undying and lifelong support to the Democratic nominee(s) seeking each such resigned Senate seat.
Just a thought.
If the replublicans have over 250 provisions in this health care plan and yet did not render a single vote then they disappoint the voters who voted them into plublic office and it aches my heart.
I watched this segment, and basically am sold, as I think most Americans will be especially in terms of 2010 mid term voting, if you base it just on health care. Obama has 7 months to see the Job market improve, car company bailouts being "profitably" repaid, along with TARP money, and have much more Recovery act money showing results. Also to propose and pass much needed further employment stimulus measures, finncial regulation measures and watch Republicans say NO to those as well!!
It is a question of timing, but if he and his congress as a whole during mid terms use Immigration reform law "change" and climate law "change" to be pusued with the same energy and determination as Health care, and openly invites relevant Republican House and Senate committees to cite thier major objectives, and an exchange of Democcratic members views ( of course each party reconciles its various committees position) As "start over" "Bi partisanship" back into politics, and "change to believe in." Then you hand it over to the appropriate government secretary to get his/her legal team to draft a bill respecting the views of both sides, and then pointing out where negotiation/ compromise is required and " suggesting" such compromise to the appropriate committees ( both sides), who eventually vote same. Based on that the appropriate secretary sends the legislation to the Senate and House democratic leadership, who decide OK to vote or make changes they see necessary to get he majority needed in House and Senate, and then vote.
The above is a winner as it totally undermines th current Republican strategy of no cooperation and no all the time to any legisaltion or many many government appointments still stupidly awaiting Senate approval.
Regards,
Hodgson.
ThankGod we finally have a leader who sacrifised his popularity to give Americans a much desired and decades overdue health care ovahaul. Thank you mr president.
I believe this bill was rush regardless of what the american people want.Do we need health care reform?Sure we do but it is a losing battle of good vs evil.Or so it seems,or is it a battle of greedy people at the top(i.e govronment and insurance + banking and the list goes on and on I hope for my childrens sake this country can get back to the morals and true democracy it was founded on and send all those greedy back rooom deal people to the unemployment line with all the hardworking americans they they stole from,and stripped the voices of is there hope for this country God i hope so!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am ashamed of our men/women that claim they are working for the people. Where were they when Bush recieved a Blank Check and started spying on us. To give Americans helath care at what ever cost should be the moral thing to do.
I am not completely satisfied with the bill; however, I am hopeful that the president and Democrats will fight for the American people. For the working men and women whom struggle each and every day to pay their high medical cost and prescription drugs. This bill should be amended to add further restrictions on private insurance companies that continue to cheat the American consumer via their monopoly of our health care system. Republicans shamelessly continue to be on the wrong side of most legislative changes that benefit most American and not the elite or richest 1% of this great nation! Democrats must legislate and reform or get pushed out of office in Nov.
This has indeed been an historic day. Working in health care for the last 25 years and fighting for improved health care access for the last 25 years has made for a very rewarding career. Here on the border with Mexico there has been flux between the two groups of consumers for medicines, easy access to providers and affordable care. Now, we as a involved society need to continue to move forward in the definition of an actual improved health care system. We have moved forward today on the payor aspect of the system. How will our picture of what American health care is also change during the next few years? This shall also require leaders and visionaries to help bring it forward. What shall be part of the new definitions of health and dis-ease; how will preventative care be provided, etc.? There always will be more work to be done, especially since the target populations will always continue to change in their composition and needs. How about an in depth interview with the Surgeon General of the United States for comments? The most significant guidance, however, will continue to come from our own people, our consumers and our providers in health care. Meanwhile, congratulations America!
What about the unemployed under the health care plan. Many of us are in late 50's early 60's. We we are to young for medicare. Our age alone prvents up to get Ins. that we can afford to pay. Are we the one 's that will be left out in this plan? If so, alot of will die before 2014. I have not had Ins. for two years now. I can not get sick. I will lose my home.
Thank you,
Nancy
I SUPPORT THE PRESIDENT, I SUPPORT THE PRESIDENT, I SUPPORT THE PRESIDENT!!!!! SOUTH PARK, TX SUPPORTS THE PRESIDENT, ACRES HOMES SUPPORTS THE PRESIDENT, THIRD WARD SUPPORTS THE PRESIDENT, FIFTH WARD SUPPORTS THE PRESIDENT, TEXAS CITY SUPPORTS THE PRESIDENT, LAMARQUE SUPPORTS THE PRESIDENT!!!!! WE SUPPORT THE PRESIDENT, WE SUPPORT THE PRESIDENT, WE SUPPORT THE PRESIDENT, WE SUPPORT THE PRESIDENT WE SUPPORT THE PRESIDENT.
--O-BA-MA, O-BA-MA, O-BA-MA, O-BA-MA, O-BA-MA, O-BA-MA!!!!!
WE THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES, IN ORDER TO FORM A MORE PERFECT UNION, SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE POLICIES OF PRESIDENT BARAC OBAMA!!!!! WOOOOOOO-HOOOOOOOOOO!!!
Thank God for the passage of this bill.