American Morning
Bill ends pre-existing conditions for kids in 6 months
(CNN) – Six months after President Obama signs the health care reform bill, insurance companies won't be allowed to deny coverage for kids because of pre-existing conditions.
The bill widens that measure to the rest of us by 2014. Critics say that's only going to add to the growing costs of health care, but for some parents with uninsured kids, it's a big relief.
Esther and Paul Hawkins have struggled to get coverage for their autistic son, Jay. They joined us on Monday's American Morning to share their story.
Floridians weigh in on House-approved bill
(CNN) – There was a fiery response last night from House Minority Leader John Boehner. He said the House-approved health care legislation failed to give Americans what they wanted and what they asked for.
So what's the reaction from average folks like you? Our John Zarrella headed to Fort Lauderdale, Florida where he sat down with the breakfast crowd at Lester's Diner.
Has the health care debate changed politics for good?
By Carol Costello and Eric Marrapodi, CNN
(CNN) – The journey to health care reform, in the president's words, has been a "difficult journey." Some might say that is the understatement of the year.
The debate over health care reform has been more than difficult - it's been arduous, bitter, extreme and divisive. Some say it's been so emotional and so overwrought it has changed our political culture for good.
"I think Americans got to see how the sausage was made in real time...and it didn't smell very good," says Drew Westen, a political psychologist.
That "smell" sent approval ratings south. A recent Pew Research Poll shows the most frequent one-word descriptions of Congress include: dysfunctional, corrupt, and inept.
LIVE Blog: Landmark health care bill heads to Obama's desk
Editor's Note: Welcome to American Morning's LIVE Blog where you can discuss the "most news in the morning" with us each and every day. Join the live chat during the program by adding your comments below. It's your chance to share your thoughts on the day's headlines. Keep in mind, you have a better chance of having your comment get past our moderators if you follow our rules: 1) Keep it brief 2) No writing in ALL CAPS 3) Use your real name (first name only is fine) 4) No links 5) Watch your language (that includes $#&*).
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/03/22/health.care.congress.art.gi.jpg caption="House Speaker Nancy Pelosi speaks during a night news conference on health care reform on Capitol Hill in Washington, March 22, 2010."]
(CNN) - A sweeping bill overhauling the U.S. medical system goes to President Obama's desk on Monday to be signed into law.
The House of Representatives passed the measure late Sunday, delivering a historic victory to Obama, who had made it his No. 1 domestic priority.
The bill passed in a 219-212 vote after more than a year of bitter partisan debate. All 178 Republicans opposed it, along with 34 Democrats.
The measure, which cleared the Senate in December, constitutes the biggest expansion of federal health care guarantees since Medicare and Medicaid were enacted more than four decades ago. FULL STORY
Sound off: How do you think this reform will impact you? Share your stories with us. Join the LIVE blog below and chat with us during the show.
Heat rises on the China-U.S. relationship
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/03/19/china.usa.flags.gi.art.jpg caption="CNN business correspondent Christine Romans examines the ever-complicated relationship between China and the United States of America."]
By Christine Romans, CNN
(CNN) – The Chinese are mad at the Americans, mild-manned economists are bashing each other, and the heat rises on the China-U.S. relationship.
That heat has risen every day, all week since Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao’s uncharacteristic tongue-lashing of the United States in his annual press availability last weekend.
He blasted the U.S., its president, and its policies and warned in very clear language that we don’t want to make China our enemy. It wouldn’t be good for either country.
He’s right about the last point, but what is less clear is the path out of this mess.
The Chinese are angry that the U.S. is selling arms to Taiwan, that the president met with the Dalai Lama and that U.S. officials have urged China to let its currency rise. An artificially low yuan makes anything “Made in China” cheaper than U.S.-made goods.
Two years into a crushing recession, the political winds are blowing in the direction of anything that will help American jobs. A bill this week introduced in the Senate would slap Chinese products with tariffs as retaliation for China keeping its currency artificially low.
Former Secretary of State Colin Powell told PBS anchor and Bloomberg contributor Judy Woodruff that the U.S.-China relationship began strongly under this president and has deteriorated ever since. Usually, the conflict over Taiwan and the Dalai Lama is an exercise in diplomacy: the Chinese scream, we say we have our principles, and then everyone gets over it.
This time is different. Action against China in Congress is more likely than anytime in the last four years, the Google dispute adds a new wrinkle, and, as Powell described it, the Chinese are “more stiff” in their talks and diplomacy with the U.S. than they have been in recent years.
After this difficult and uncomfortable week for the world’s most important financial marriage, Reuters is reporting that the Chinese are now trying to cool down the rhetoric and are sending a special trade envoy to Washington later this month.
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