American Morning
Tempers flare ahead of bipartisan health care summit
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/POLITICS/02/25/health.care.summit/t1main.summit2.gi.jpg caption="Hours before the White House's bipartisan summit on health care reform, lawmakers didn't appear ready for compromise."]
Washington (CNN) - The day before the White House's bipartisan summit on health care reform, there didn't appear to be much mood for compromise on Capitol Hill.
Sen. Chris Dodd, a key author of the Senate health care bill, told reporters flatly Wednesday that if Republicans continue to demand that Democrats scrap their health care proposals and start over, "then there's nothing to talk about."
"If you expect me to start all over on this, there's really not much point in this, 'cause we're not going to start over," Dodd said.
But Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell argued that's exactly what Republicans want.
"Unless they're willing to do that, I think it's nearly impossible to imagine a scenario under which we can reach agreement because we don't think we ought to pass a 2,700-page bill that seeks to restructure one-sixth of our economy," McConnell said.
Dodd said Democrats and Republicans could find some common ground in some areas, such as a Republican push to allow insurers to sell insurance across state lines. Dodd called the GOP proposal "a legitimate issue" but added that Democrats already have a version of that proposal in their legislation. FULL STORY
Watch the summit LIVE on CNN.com, starting at 10 a.m. ET.
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Wonder if republicians are prepared to do WITHOUT insurance until all is settled - YEA RIGHT !!! well - why don't we get the same type they have - Time for Mr President to ACT - Give it to the people !!!!!
The democrats are trying hard to raise the speed limit on the road to a bankrupt and socolist america.
Helllooooo....not being re-elected = bulletproff to special interest moolah. He's not resigning just because he suddenly lost his IQ – maybe he has regained his morality and ethics and sniffed his own laundry and thinks it stinks!
The Republicans will be bipartisan, if the Democrats are willing to scrap their bill and go with whatever plan the Republicans come up with. The majority of Americans voted for the President because they want what he is selling! The time for barging is over! Time to pass the health bill and comply with what the wishes of what the majority of Americans want!
Dodd is all done as a Senator. He has already admitted he quit rather than face non election. He was so far behind in the pre election polls.
I think it is a sad day for America when a resigning official is allowed to control the discussion of medical health care in America-1/6 of our GNP. The idea of allowing this is not only foolhardy-ITS STUPID!!
FYI – I am a big supporter of government report cards for legislators...everyone's voting record and attendance records should be included in a database so we as voters can identify the dead wood, because right now Congress looks more like a dead forest than a live one. At least put an X on the members who have done nothing legislatively so we can recognize them on CSPAN. Or, let's censure a member or senator when they campaign in their speeches rather than do the people's business.
Hey cnn why is it that one party is saying the american people want this health care plan ,another saying no .In reality rather that both parites wasting time and money let the americans decide ,why not take it out of government hands and lets vote on it .The voting system is in place is already in place in every district ,and every state so lets do this ,that way the blame is not on either party its by yes or no .Who cares what party wins or which one looses .Let the people speak they are the ones that matter .I would gladly pay a little more taxes to get health insurance .
Everyone needs to quit being hypocrite and give up something .I have not gone to a doctor in years ,i bought health care for my 20 yearold son i had the plan for about a year .It cost about 125.00 a month i never used it in the year but it went up by 15 dollars are you kidding me i just paid for a year never even activated the policy but the cost went up .All these people that are voting against healthcare they have health care .To all those government employees that have health insurance why dont you give up yours .Its no wonder this nation is such a mess selfish behaviour overshadows the human in these people .Cnn how about a pole ask the american people if they want a vote on healthcare ,not in congress but in the public We the taxpayers are the ones that will be paying so letus make our own decision .
Well, I just watched the most useless interview I have ever seen. That Republican Senator sounds like he is in election mode rather than being about the people's work. Nobody in Eastern PA accepts the chip's card in doctor's offices here in Monroe County. Look folks, hospitals are charging insurers more because so many people now use the ER as their doctor's office because they have no insurance. If everyone was covered, hospital rates should fall...insurance rates should fall.. and everyone would have health care. What is so hard to understand? In PA we uncapped our utility rates recently and guess what? There is no difference in rates between the three companies we can buy power from.....shocker huh? Isn't healthcare just as important if not more than utilities? WAKE UP! Dem, Rep, Ind GET THE JOB DONE! Where is your morality and your ethics. Hey religious right – if you talk the talk you must walk the walk...time to be your brother's keeper!