mobilizing across the country against this mean, ugly bill because health care is personal. i'm encouraged that so many people have been calling and making their voices heard. mitch mcconnell and donald trump can try to jam this bill down our throats, but we aren't going to let them succeed and they will be held accountable. mahalo nui loa. >> the congressional budget office is to give its assessment at the beginning of the week which will then allow senators to debate the bill and consider possible amendments. you can watch live floor debate in the senate on c-span2 or online at c-span.org. you can also listen by downloading the free c-span radio app. now, more on the debate over health care from "washington journal." this is 30 minutes. washington journal continues. host: joining us now is amy

goodman, the host and producer of democracy now. she is here to talk about the efforts by republicans to replace the affordable care act "d also the fact that, democracy now, 20 years of covering the movement and shape of america." remind our viewers of what this is. guest: democracy now is a daily global news hour that airs on 2400 news and radio shows around the world. we began in 1996 on nine stations, radio stations. from the week of september 11, 2001 -- we were the closest national broadcast to ground zero. a tv station in new york said in addition to radio, can we run you with a public access tv station, so we ran its emergency

broadcasting and public access stations across the country asked us -- so we would fedex videocassettes to them, a breaking news -- then the npr stations would say, can we run the show? then the pbs stations -- we grew to 1400 today. a station a week is picking us up. it is a testament to the hunger for independent voices around this country on every single issue. not your typical pundits that you get on the networks, that no so little about so much, explaining the world to us in getting it wrong. people in their own communities talking about their own lives. they are truly the experts on every issue. that is what we do. we provide a forum for people to speak for themselves. you can check it out on

democracynow.org. host: talk about the role of independent media organizations here in washington. a perfect example of why independent media is so important to let's start with "war and peace." we are not brought to you by the weapons manufacturers. we don't break every seven minutes to be brought to you by mcdonald's or boeing. when we cover climate change we are not brought to you by the climate -- by the oil companies. we are not brought to you by big pharmaceuticals or the insurance industry. we are brought to the listeners, viewers, and readers by the listeners, viewers and readers. that is so important when it comes to health care. who is this legislation brought to us by? the very advertisers on

television. it is critical that we talk --ut health care in america what is good for people in this country. not what is good for the large corporations. host: we're joined by amy goodman. she is the host and executive inducer of democracy now! bookthe co-author of the "democracy now." about the debate over health care. republicans are unveiling their latest version of their efforts to repeal and replace obamacare. in a column that there is a movement for single-payer health care. how big is this movement? colleaguecolumn -- my

, yes, we did not look at obamacare -- we focused on the idea of medicare for all. here's a story. kiefer sutherland -- not exactly kiefer, before he was the great action hero of 24. i want to talk about his grandfather, tommy douglas. he was a pioneering canadian. he almost lost his leg as a kid. because a doctor saved his leg for free, with medical students looking on, he made his mission in the world to bring health care to anyone rich or poor in canada. he ended up becoming the premier of saskatchewan and he fought for medicare for all. he was fought by the doctors who were supported by the ama, the

american medical association, they went on strike for three weeks, they did not want the contagion of medicare for all going south he denies dates -- to the united states. he got single-payer health care in saskatchewan for all and then immediately soon after, all of canada adopted it because it was so popular. the question is, why don't we have this in the united states? our own version of it? there is one thing that everyone agrees on, including president trump and progressive democrats and independents. when trump ran for president, when he first he wants tos run, cut medicaid where the bill does. no he is not touching medicare for the moment. all over this country, you don't people 65care because

and over, they say no. this is one thing that works. why don't we just extend that? -- 65 and older, why don't you just extend it and make it aged zero from the day you are born? why do we not have that system in this country? how is it possible that we are looking at plans, for example the one right now, that will be debated after a fashion in the senate, where many people call it -- they say do not call it health care they say call it wealth care. you have $33 billion in tax cuts that will go to the wealthiest 400 american households, the richest households, that is what this is about in this country. the households that don't need it. the level of cuts in medicaid right now, half the births in this country are paid for by medicaid.

they are going to massively cut medicaid. do we really want to live in a society where we are rich middle class or poor? where a mom is dying holding her infant in the street? that is good for no one. we have to come up with a better plan. it is not obamacare or trumpcare, -- we need medicare for all. host: tim is calling for michigan on the independent line. you're on. caller: hello. amy?is kim are guest: i said hi. kim, i used to work at the herald. god bless the boys of local 264 im in boston. host: what's your question? caller: i'm a contributor to

your network. i love your network. thanks to steve, the guy that doubled it, i am into you guys for $200. keep up the great work. guest: thank you so much. where do you live in michigan? on this book and media tour and we were in lansing, grand rapids, and kalamazoo. i could have came but i am it hasn't now because i am recently retired, my mom is 86 and i have no brothers or sisters so i had to quit. anyway, my question to you is, by the way -- i am an independent and i have always -- i even voted for republican twice. i'm not going to mention his name but his initials were bill clinton.

-- --you have a dude could you quit bashing bernie? i didn't vote for nader. host: i want to make sure you get your question in. caller: if she could have stephanie please -- the clintons -- there republicans. -- they are republicans. bernie is the guy. it is interesting. i think you are referring to stephanie miller who comes on after democracy now on free speech tv, one of the networks we are on on satellite television, and dish network. sanders, iut bernie was just in chicago at the people's summit. wherefore thousand people --

4000 people united, the biggest nurses union in the country. it is very interesting what is happening in all of these different movements. bernie sanders addressed people two weeks ago, it will be interesting to see if he introduces a medicare for all bill in the senate. word is that he will. interesting because it seems when you look at all different fights, $15 an hour, the issue of medicare for all, all show across this country that -- polls show that people support this. democrat, conservative, liberal, republican, independent -- those lines are breaking down right now. people are talking about how we survive in this country. and how we live in civilized society and take care of each other. i think these are the big questions of our day. host: greg is calling from

huntsville, alabama area republican line. caller: good morning. i will tell you what. i was actually in a doctor visit with my son not too long ago who was having an epidural from a foot all injury. -- from a football injury. he wants to go to alabama and become a an attorney. other subjecte when we talk about what student loans have done to the price of education -- to artificially inflate the value of education. he pointed out something i thought was brilliant from a young mind. he said -- we were going in to have a procedure done -- they were going to charge $300, a copayment -- i don't have a copayment with my insurance. from $740ce has gone hear caller2051, i

after caller who gets really cheap insurance through somewhere -- they may not have a job or -- i want them to have insurance but oil, -- but i cannot singly shoulder the burden. this is breaking me. considering i'm paying money for two kids to go to school without student loans. out this was not a copayment it was a facility usage charge by the hospital. we went to another hospital that -- that charged that fee, later on we talked to care or is not health the interest portion that is a problem. it is the cost of the procedures and the things that are being done. we are not controlling the cost. recently --- i was there was recently in ultrasound for a pregnant family member, it

was $700. i could buy in ultrasound -- online that is identical. guest: all the best to your son. to your kids it going to school. you raise every different issue from student debt to health care. we need a cohesive system in this country. it will not be arrived at by a couple of men behind closed anys, not consulting with -- all the stakeholders in this, but secretly writing a bill. and then saying that senators have to sign on. it is a matter of your future political life. we need a system that is rational and works in this country. that includes the cost of drugs, pharmaceuticals, doctors visits and hospital care -- it all has

to be integrated. it cannot be piecemeal. that is what happens in the united states. that is why it is critical -- i think we look at what works -- there is one thing that works. medicare. it has problems but it works. why not use that as a model for the treatment of everyone? a health care system for everyone. falls city, washington on the democratic line. i, you are on. --guy, you are on. caller: this is what i want you to bring out. since the fairness doctrine was has gone the media with adolf hitler. -- there would not be any rush limbaugh, or false -- the fairness

doctrine when that when out, so did the media. so did six companies controlling 80% of the mainstream media. talk about that. it is very important to talk about the media today. it is how we learn about the world. if you don't come from another place in the world or have a friend who does her family member, we learn about the world or the media. the rest of the world learns about us through the media. i think it has to be through something other than a corporate lens. it is very important. the five wealthiest men in the world, the number just came out -- it is jeff bezos, who owns slim, ais carlos spanish businessmen, it is , and it is bill gates. -- two of five phone

the five own major or have a big stake in ager media outlets. jeff bezos is in the washington post -- they have a big stake in major media outlets. that is just talking about newspapers. what about the corporate media? the elite media in this country. is truly media that independent and that serves a democratic society. there is a reason that journalism is the only one explicitly protected by the u.s. constitution. we are supposed to be the check and balance on power. it is critical. hates thedonald trump media or he says he does. he calls us the enemy of the people. we are supposed to hold those in power accountable. presidents in the past often had conflicts with the media because the nature of our position. it is essential.

what did thomas jefferson say, if i had a choice between a government without newspapers or a newspaper without a government, i would choose the latter. inis absolutely critical these times of enormous government and corporate power, that we have a true for the state -- for the media -- we do not occupy a comfortable position but a necessary one for the functioning of a democratic society. bill after the obamacare law was passed, there was a lot costiticism about rising from many officials. with the latest version of the gop health care plan, there is criticism according to the washington post, republican governors are voicing doubts. several moderate republicans including john charlief ohio, the baker of massachusetts and larry hogan of maryland, have issued

statements criticizing, including the secrecy under which this bill was written. also the impact on low income residents. we were talking about single-payer options. how can advocates of the single-payer system use this discussion about obamacare and the republican bill to advocate for their position? guest: the media has to open up and provide a forum for people to have these debates. because this is all happening behind closed doors, 13 white male republican senators were discussing this and, and no one knows -- the media are just speculating. why not actually, don't have the politicians determining what you are providing for a forum for discussion about, have substantial discussions about what people want in this country. not what they are trying to

craft behind closed doors. that is, for example, the issue of single-payer. what about this -- it is so interesting that the one plan that is most suppressed when it comes to discussion on television is the one that polls show is the most popular. that are different groups advocate for this. nationally nurses united, the positions for national health all, health care now, different groups. you do not have to support it. but we have to have a discussion and air out. you never know when the magic moment comes. when the whole discussion changes. theou are a part of involved in these discussions and building a foundation, when that moment comes, you are part of making history and determining the future. and we are at a critical juncture. health care costs are, as we just heard from the people who are calling in, astronomical.

there are out of control. the legislation cannot be written by the corporations. the -- this is so important to remember. wealth care and not health care. as aillion in tax cuts result of the republican plan that is being put forward. that will go to the 400 richest american families. this is not good for anyone. for example, it is why senator heller, who is a republican senator in nevada, and also the outrnor came out very early against sandoval, he spoke in las vegas, he said no. i will not support legislation that will lead to tens of millions of people being thrown off health care. host: harry is calling in from georgia. independent line. you're on with amy goodman. caller: hello.

hey amy. i wanted you to know that i have been listening to you on radio free georgia. wr fg in atlanta. caller: that is a plug. been talking to friends -- i am finally on medicare. , wheree has 3% overhead these medical insurance companies have 20% overhead. if obamacare is repealed they will be able to go back as high an overhead as they want. the point i try and make with them is, when i am on social security and medicare, i have -- the government knows how much i have paid into these programs my whole life.

which is a couple hundred thousand dollars at this point. where is i have paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to medical insurance companies for my family over 40, 50 years of working. there is no accounting for all of that. paid $8,000 in a year for medical insurance for a family. $500 or $600 in benefits in a year. there is no accounting for that. they want to know for -- what you done for me lately. guest: right. this is a question of whether the life and death of the citizens of a nation should be determined by these for-profit , whose executives make so much money -- that is what this legislation is about. for-profit sector is very important in many ways but when

it comes to this essential service, why is it we do not where peopleystem aren't gouged to be able to survive in this country? recently president said after the house bill was introduced by the gop that he wanted a bill to have more heart. he called the health bill mean. what is your reaction? guest: that is significant that president trump has said this. many have called the senate bill meaner. president trump has been all over the place as president and before that when it came to issues of health care he talked about universal health care and supporting it, single-payer. really what counts in this country is what people feel all over this country. democracy now is committed to giving voice to grassroots movements all over this country. want als show people system that is fair, rational.

it doesn't have to be created ad hoc. we have a system. it is called medicare. ask of the fouts over 65. there are problems with it. -- ask the folks over 65. every politician knows it. donald says we won't touch it. why don't we just lower the age until the day you are born. host: reaction today from the president on twitter about health care. "the duck doubles increase over 100%. " guest: it is easy right now to attack obama care because the underpinnings are being cut out. it is not sustainable when you cut the guts of it out. system forew everyone.

none of these politicians can hide behind attacking each other. right now we are talking about the life and death of a nation. host: bob is calling from grand rapids, michigan. republican line. caller: hello, how are you? host: go ahead. reiterate toted to amy goodman, about the medicare system. what you're going to have to do be givenre is going to to everybody which will take another 20 years of going back and forth anyway. is get rid of medicaid, the senior prescription drug program. so it is all rolled into one big national plan. if you keep medicaid and the separate other programs that we have right now, it will never pass. then you have to convince the political establishment in washington dc, that this is what the people want.

not what they want. right now the republicans are hashing out another obama care bill. it will be just as bad. that is what they think their power is. is having health care hang over the whole population. it is going to take another political cycle like we did with trump and tell the establishment, this is what we want and get rid of the junk. it doesn't work and we know it doesn't work. guest: i think that is so interesting. you call in on the republican line. it sounds like everyone really agrees on this issue. we have to come up with something that works and it is also why the media play such a key role. this is not up to just a few men's behind closed doors. the corporate media buying for which of those senators they can get up -- on their program. the media must be there for everyone to have these critical discussions.

i see the media as a huge kitchen table that stretches across the globe that we all sit around and debate and discuss the most important issues of the day. war and peace, life-and-death, health care -- anything less than that is a disservice to a democratic society. host: amy goodman, host and executive producer of democracy now. >> and sam berger of the senate -- of the center for american progress. and anthony from the center for strategic and international theies will talk about potential troop increase in afghanistan.

be sure to watch it c-span's "washington journal" this morning. join the discussion. next, a look at the opioid crisis and solutions for combating drug addiction in the u.s. this event included members of congress and several health care experts. posted by the "washington post" this is just two hours. hello. all right. bear with me here. i have all of this hands. thank you for coming today. welcome to "the washington post." i am mike sabonus, i cover congress for the post. we're here to discuss the nation's