Health Care: LIVE Updates On Vote Today

Today is THE DAY for health care reform, and this page will bring you all the breaking news, tweets, photos, and video, all in one place.

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Obama: Government still works for the people.

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Obama watched the vote in the White House's Roosevelt Room with Vice President Joe Biden and dozens of aides. When the long sought 216th vote came in — the magic number needed for passage — the room burst into applause and an exultant president exchanged a high-five with his chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel. "We proved that we are still a people capable of doing big things," the president said later in televised remarks. "We proved that this government — a government of the people and by the people — still works for the people." “This isn’t radical reform, but it is major reform,” Obama continued. “This is what change looks like.” CNN's Ed Henry, citing White House aides, reported that Obama will continue "barnstorming on health care" this week, delivering speeches outside of Washington heralding the immediate benefits of the health care bill. -- AP/Huffington Post

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Obama watched the vote in the White House's Roosevelt Room with Vice President Joe Biden and dozens of aides. When the long sought 216th vote came in — the magic number needed for passage — the room burst into applause and an exultant president exchanged a high-five with his chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel.

"We proved that we are still a people capable of doing big things," the president said later in televised remarks. "We proved that this government — a government of the people and by the people — still works for the people."

“This isn’t radical reform, but it is major reform,” Obama continued. “This is what change looks like.”

CNN's Ed Henry, citing White House aides, reported that Obama will continue "barnstorming on health care" this week, delivering speeches outside of Washington heralding the immediate benefits of the health care bill.

-- AP/Huffington Post

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Tom Joad said on 21 Sunday 2010 pm31 9:34 pm: To The Republiban Leadership (if one can call it that): You lost this battle and you will continue to lose because you are devoid of ideas. In the 15 months since the new administration has been in power, you have never - not even one time - proposed an alternative solution. You have no ideas. Your political philosophy is moribund. Good bye, Republiban.

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Below is our health care-focused Twitter List module. In the left column are key health care policy experts, advocates, and Congressional reporters (including our own HuffPost team of reporters: @RyanGrim, @NicoPitney, @SamSteinHP, @ArthurDelaneyHP, @MichaelPFalcone). Next to that are lists of influential Democratic and Republican pundits and members of Congress.

Comments

[Henry Massingale]

11:12 AM on 03/26/2010

patr 1: I wish to also give a great big thank you to the People of The Huffington Post for helping FASC Concepts to become the largest web site in the USA To help cover the sick and the poor is a FASC Concept that states that to build a Health Care Forum within our Government Institution is a Peoples right to do so and this is Protect Under the Constitution as a Human and Civil Right. So in plan words if the poor and the sick could only afford to pay $5.00 to $10.00 per month this would to bring a balance toward the broken tax system, to add up this number 32 million to 100 million sick and poor people x $5.00 per month. This will place back into the system $116 million $to 500 million dollars per month. The cause and effect of this will reduce the purposed Health Care Tax Forum, to bring about a reduced effect so not to a over  burden system. Take my faith in this and almost all the poor and sick would be happy to pay in and help rebuild the United States failed tax system. Also To bring about a balance of trust lost between the people and Officials. See all at thebluepill link on page 100
 
 See the all at thebluepill link for how to cover the sick.

[Henry Massingale]

12:27 AM on 03/23/2010

Is There A Constitutional Infringement of a Moral Value for Health Care vs. The People
Part 1: 3/22/2010: { recapped for short input}
I had to wait for this Bill to be passed in order to show the Republican Party and GOP and FRC Action that it is the voice of the people that guides the destiny of this Country. I guess you could say I needed them to get out of the way so that the last Comic Standing will be FASC Concepts and we do not need the peoples money to assist the needs of the Peoples Rights.
As predicted , the first stages of the Health Care Bill was passed. Why, you ask ? It is because people wish to be seen for their in put of a view and not unite. What is lost is respect with in a concept of { Freedom Of Choice } to be a part of this system or not, with in this Health Care Force Pay Matrix.
What is offered by FASC Concepts is the Freedom Of Choice, because we feel it is unconstitutional to force pay into the failures of Health Care Insurance Companies and then Tax that money. You can find the details on p23. At the link site for www thebluepill mysite com on page 100 at the main site.
FASC Concepts in and for Pay it Forward
on google , yahoo, and aol www.fascmovement.mysite.com

[Star2000dancer]

09:12 PM on 03/22/2010

Yay! We ge tto extend one of the world's worst health care system to even more people.

Yay! Big Pharm gets to push even more pills as our life spans go down.

Yay! How many people in this country doesn't have to take some kind of drug?

Buy into Big Pharm, it's stocks will go through the roof.

Dang Obama, my Mom and Dad had cancer too. I had to live with a mean, cheap Aunt. I was the only one to help my family.

You understand how I feel, but do you know you could have helped your Mom? You know this bill hots everybody.

You can still fix health care, not extend bad health care. Please, I volunteer to help you, I lived it. I've been trying to help fix it for decades.

Did you know we sell Canada pills for 2 cents apiece? GWBush's health care fix was to buy them back for 10 cents apiece. Why sell them to them at all? Give them to the people for what we charge Canada.

That would save trillions. It's just one line you can add to this bill. Please.

Over 1000 people die each day from misdiagnosis alone, over a half million lives that could be saved. Make Big Pharm, Doctors & Universities accountable.

That's what we need the most. Please put it in the bill before you sign it. Thank you for all who don't even know they're sick or dying from misdiagnosis and drug side effects.

[JaCqieBHO]

03:54 PM on 03/22/2010

WHAT DID THE REPUB DO SINCE 1.20.09..DO THEY HAVE ANYTHING TO BRAG ABOUT..

[Star2000dancer]

08:10 PM on 03/22/2010

It's too bad that Americans are falling political theater instead of staying united. I hate seeing people played against each other.

Flower power! Peace and love.

[wwoody]

10:17 PM on 03/22/2010

Yes we have a lot to brag about, .....and were quite proud of it too. When I think of it, I'll get back to you.

1/19/2009

[JaCqieBHO]

01:11 PM on 03/23/2010

Holly molly....LOL..yaah think and think and think ..then give me a call...LOOOL

[ProfessorBrooks]

01:59 PM on 03/22/2010

Unbelievable: that D-bag/T-bag John Boehner admonishes congress for voting against the will of the American people--such tyranny: aside from the fact that that is just an outright lie, since the majority of Americans want health care reform, it is also another example of the blatant hypocrisy of Republicans, who pursued impeachment of Pres. Clinton for a year in 1998, which shot Clinton's approval ratings to 70%--the highest of his presidency--the American people clearly voiced their will in 1998 and were ignored by Republicans who used every political trick to try and oust a duly elected president--and now it's all "boo hoo, all that tyrannical voting for something the American people want is oppressing me."

I keep thinking that I can't be any more disgusted with Republicans, and they keep upping the ante on shamelessness.

Happy Vernal Equinox everyone.

[Nelson Montana]

11:39 AM on 03/22/2010

Talk about selling ice to the eskimos.

This plan is pretty much what has always existed. It's like being told; "You too can own a Mercedes Benz. "And then mandating that you take out a loan to pay for it. And people say " Hurray! We can have a Mercedes Benz now!"

The politicians are smart. They made this into a right versus left issue. The left had the "have a heart and help the sick" argument and the right had the "don't mess with our coverage and make us socialists" argument. Both argument are B.S. Neither would happen.

Bottom line: What do I get, when do I get it and what's it going to cost? Once those questions are answered (if at all) I think the cheering is going to simmer down quite a bit.

[BigHound1]

01:31 PM on 03/22/2010

I am one of those who are saying YIPPIE for four specific reasons:

1. Healthcare for another 31 million people currently uninsured.
2. Cannot be turned down because of pre-existing conditions
3. Maximum percentage of earnings of your health care insurance provider meaning they will make coverage better or lower cost.
4. If I still want to own my chevy, I can keep my chevy. Everyone doesn't want a Mercedes

Of course, there are more reasons but these are the ones that make me say YIPPIE!!!

[rocker2]

05:46 PM on 03/22/2010

I agree, its adding 30 million to welfare and mandating others buy insurance. To me thats not insurance reform. With the rush to create the legacy of HCR the ego of the president or REID and PELOSI didn't take the opportunity to really fix what was broken, and I fear our country is going to pay the price in real dollars. You can't put this on the Am Ex Platinum card.

[Henry Massingale]

10:27 AM on 03/22/2010

part 3: and state we support FASC Concepts in part or in full, and share your views and be respectful in order to gain respect.
Health Care within a moral value, is to ,
{ GIVE LIFE TO HOPE WHERE THERE IS NONE }
Henry Massingale
FASC Concepts in and for Pay It Forward
www.fascmovement.mysite.com on google. yahoo, and aol.com
please take the time and visit all my new friends on the net and if you wish to post with FASC Concepts you will be most welcomed. So join us and share your ideas as one in one voice. Just type in the web address and you will see over Results 1 - 10 of about 6,730 for www fascmovement com and there is over 10,000 post that are 6 month old.

[freespeech2]

10:39 AM on 03/22/2010

Henry,

I respect your comments, but can't figure out what you are getting at. Could you preface your three part comment with an explanation of what you are posting here to help me understand?

thanks

[Henry Massingale]

10:27 AM on 03/22/2010

So now it begins, the Civil Rights Law Suits and Constitutional Suits. We are not talking just a few law suits we are talking thousands will be filed because of the Freedom Of Choice is taken away and a Tax against money that is not Government Officials Rights to Tax, the Health Care Money for Coverage.
Within our web site we suggested to build a Government Web Site that will show the People the monthly income of this Health Care Dollar and what the dollar is used for. But of Course this can not be allowed this would audit the IRS and Government System.


So, what do you wish to do ? Sit back and complain or unite your voice as one and state that ,{ We believe in the Freedom Of Choice to be a Part Of this Health Care System or not. } We intend to give life to hope to where there is none.
FASC Concepts in and for Pay It Forward. Join the trickle effect and email President Obama .....
Our goal is to start a trickle effect and the goal is President Obama and this Bill to Law. To merge 250 million veiws for a honest Health Care reform. The trickle effect is , Email President Barack Obama
Mar 20, 2009 ... How to contact President Barack Obama and other White House Officials.
www.emailthepresident.com/ - Cached – Similar

[fromdnorth]

10:59 AM on 03/22/2010

Are you going to do the same with auto insurance? Seat belts? Income taxes???

[Tommy2]

07:17 PM on 03/23/2010

OK, I am made to buy auto insurance and told how much to buy, but I don't have a car. ( yea right)
Well one of the highest tax I pay is school tax, I don't have any kids in school.

[fromdnorth]

11:47 AM on 03/24/2010

Education is a public good...

[Henry Massingale]

10:24 AM on 03/22/2010

part 1: I asure you that I am not void of the concept of ideas, and so i waited for this to become a factor of truth and lies built with in all, I waited for this Bill to be passed.
As predicted , the first stages of the Health Care Bill was passed. Why, you ask ? It is because people wish to be seen for their in put of a view and not unite. What is lost is respect with in a concept of { Freedom Of Choice } to be a part of this system or not, with in this Health Care Force Pay Matrix.
What is offered by FASC Concepts is the Freedom Of Choice, because we feel it is unconstitutional to force pay into the failures of Health Care Insurance Companies and then Tax that money. As you can see our elected officials are paying little attention to the public. As I reach out to my computer and I knock , knock, knock on the screen, and I say is there any body out there?
So now it begins, the Civil Rights Law Suits and Constitutional Suits. We are not talking just a few law suits we are talking thousands will be filed because of the Freedom Of Choice is taken away and a Tax against money that is not Government Officials Rights to Tax, the Health Care Money for Coverage.

[tucsonarizona1]

04:37 PM on 03/22/2010

Please adjust your meds. Thank you.

[tatu123]

09:58 AM on 03/22/2010

I just wanted to point out the "strawman" used in Obama's and Pelosi's arguments. This is why I don't believe a thing the leaders say. However, I agree. This is the new law. Just remember, send any health care complaints directly to Obama and Pelosi. When you are denied a service, that complaint does not go to your health care company, it goes to Obama and Pelosi. The strawmen are gone. The entire country now knows where to send their complaints. It will be fun to see bloggers on this site having to address their complaints directly to Obama and Pelosi in the area of healtchard.

I do agree with Obama's education plan. I can't wait for the heads of the teachers' unions to show their support for that one.

[freespeech2]

10:13 AM on 03/22/2010

You would probably need to send your complaints via postal mail. Some of the e-mail forms on the various government websites do not accept e-mails from zip codes outside of a Congressperson's constituancy. Some do but preclude responses to anyone outside of the constituancy base.

[tatu123]

09:31 AM on 03/22/2010

Those evil health insurance companies will have no price controls (per last minute rule by Democratic controlled House). The evil drug companies that Obama and Pelosi railed against get 12 full years of keeping the patent on a new drug before cheaper generics can be made. As a cancer survivor, I am offended by the fact that the will of the majority constitutients was ignored by politicians. However, future health care complaints by all liberal responders on this site go straight to the Democrats and Obama.

[freespeech2]

09:40 AM on 03/22/2010

So should we eliminate patent protection then? Should we nationalize pharmaceutical research? Should we eliminate profit completely as a motive for effort? What's the answer?

[Nelson Montana]

09:44 AM on 03/22/2010

Yes. It should have been a social program that eliminated the middle man. That would have been health care REFORM. This is merely "mandatory insurance." But don't let me get in the way of everyone yelling "YIPPEE!!!"

[jspkim]

10:53 PM on 03/22/2010

Actually over 70% of new drugs are originated from publically funded researches .

Yeah, it it true that phahrcetical companies do the last mile., that is drug testing including pre- clinical and clinical studies and paper works for FDA .
However it is absurd to argue that pharmaceutical companies are the champions of scientific breakthroughs.

I agreed that there should be some sort of patent protection for a limited time period .

But what concerns be a lot about this bill is that it practically eliminates generic forms of biological medicines by requiring the same level of pre-clinical and clinical studies .

This will guarantee the price gouging by original patent owners.

[Nelson Montana]

09:22 AM on 03/22/2010

This reminds me a little of when the Dems gained control of Congress and all my liberal friends were exaulting . "WE WON! WE WON! My reaction was "Sure...so let's see what they do." At which point they went ahead and proceeded to do nothing.

I'm afraid that's what will happen with this bill. But I don't want to be the bummer this time. I'd LOVE to see the necessary provisions be made to make it more practical and effective. But as it stands, it looks like nothing but a law that mandates everybody buy health insurance even if you can't afford it. You'll just have to buy something a little cheaper and little crappier.

[freespeech2]

09:19 AM on 03/22/2010

Congratulations to the Obama Administration on passing this bill. I opposed the bill for a number of reasons, but once the bill has been signed into law, there is no reason to argue further. Time for implementation.

[AdamK4rationalthought]

09:03 AM on 03/22/2010

Good Morning, Freshly Poured!
http://www.smugbaldy.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/neo-con-tears.jpg

[longfeltwant]

08:14 AM on 03/22/2010

The pre-existing condition clause is the most important one.

[BDiggy]

06:01 PM on 03/22/2010

YES! SO IMPORTANT. Those who are opposed to this reform, have clearly never been dropped or denied coverage by an insurer. I'd love to know how those individuals would feel with a 30K bill and no one to pay it....