on our broadcast tonight, the speech on health care and the outburst heard around the world. tonight, the fallout and the fine print. shot in the arm. there's something you can do to guard against the double threat of this year's flu season. what's your number. the list about cell phones getting attention tonight. rescue 911. why firefighters feel more than e.r. doctors. also, the american car company that guarantees its products. company that guarantees its products. "nightly news" begins now. captions paid for by nbc-universal television good evening, president

obama, last night, set out to deliver a sharp and direct speech on health care, one final big push for reform. hover, it was a sharp and dark comment from a republican congressman in the audience that made a lot of news. he apologized to the president. we'll have more on that in a moment. first to health care. the president's push for a bill before the boisterous crowd. we have it all covered tonight. joe scarborough is with us. kelly o'donnell on the hill and we start off with the chief white house correspondent, chuck todd. chuck, good evening. >> reporter: good evening. last night was the easy part for the president. today, began the hard part, turning words into action. the president delivered a stripped down version of his pitch for health care to a gathering of nurses, arguing his plan would improve those with

health insurance and cut costs for everyone. >> as folks go about their every day lives, one thing they won't have to worry about as much is health care. >> reporter: as the president acknowledged -- >> there remains significant details to be ironed out. i believe -- >> reporter: the biggest detail how to construction a government program, a public option that appeased the democrats but doesn't chase them off. >> it would be one option among any. no one is forced to choose it. >> reporter: the televised speech had an e fekt. there was flexibility for each side. i don't think you go into a negotiation and say some things are nongauchable. >> the public option is in the eye of the beholder. >> reporter: that was the topic

of conversation. while the actions of the white house showed an operation focused on winning over democrats, the president still publicly talked a good game about bipartisanship. >> i continue to be open to suggestions and ideas from all quarters, house members, senate members, democrats, republicans, outside groups. >> reporter: yet, outside of maine governor, olympia snowe, they can't name another republican the president talked with. most didn't take his words as an indication he wanted to talk to them. >> this isn't a way to get people to talk to you. if you disagree, we're going to call you out. >> reporter: there's the issue of money. the president said it will cost $900 billion over ten years. it would come from taxing the cadillac insurance plans for wealthy americans plus savings

from medicare. it was one thing they didn't start talking in detail about because they are waitingn g/ f their own numbers crunchers. >> chuck, thanks. now, we go back to the heckle heard around the world. congressman joe wilson was not widely known before last night. he is now. nbc's kelly o'donnell joins us from the hill. good evening. >> reporter: good evening, brian. i have talked to members of congress that have been here for decades. they said the kind of disruption we heard hasn't happened before. the issue that got him so upset touched off a wider conversation abts illegal immigrants. it was a stunning outburst. >> lie! >> oh! >> reporter: south carolina congressman, joe wilson accused the president of lying in a fit of anger.

cameras waited outside his office. he was told to apologize, fast. >> i heard from the leadership they wanted me to contact the white house and state that my statements were inappropriate. i did. >> reporter: the president was clearly displeased last night, but gracious today. >> i'm a big believer that we all make mistakes. he apologized quickly. i'm aappreciate yative of that. >>reporter: in years past, other presidents heard murmurs. this hit a new level. republican leaders didn't want his conduct to reflect on them. >> i don't think anyone accepts the type of outburst and the lack of decorum in the chamber. >> reporter: reaction was so

quick, his website couldn't handle the attention and crashed. on the radio, rush limbaugh claimed he was right. >> he apologized and members of his own party are talking about it. >> reporter: however rude it was, it reflects the view republican leaders stood by today. health care reform will not cover illegal immigrants. republicans say there's a loophole. >> if there is no proof of it, a lot of people not eligible, including illegal immigrants will end up receiving the benefits of the legislation. >> reporter: brian, this is complicated because the bill, as its written now is explicit saying illegal immigrants won't get health care benefits and reform. they are concerned about cracks in the system. times when illegal immigrants have gotten benefits like

medicaid. democrats concede there is confusion and the last committee working on legislation said it will try to do more about being specific requiring proof of citizenship. joining us now is joe scarborough, much better known as the host of "morning joe" on msnbc. before that, a congressman from the state of florida. it occurred to me, this is where you used to sit during a joint session from the last democratic president, bill clinton. you're watching at home, fast forward a couple years. it was an amped up atmosphere. they are holding up bills and signs, then the heckle. what was your reaction? >> i could pt believe it. it was a perfect endeding to a long, ugly summer. umptly, the republican response was not what we heard

afterwards. it was joe wilson's response. again, joe wilson, this morning, he was the number one search on google. he will define the speech for the republican party. rush limbaugh may say it's great, it's one more example of this republican party being seen as the party that lacks temperment. barack obama, they gave him a chance to rise above the level and be gracious an forgive the republicans and joe wilson. it's not good politics. >> i just did a search. three of the four biggest papers the headline is the president accepts the apology from the republican congressman. not what they wanted. anything else? there was whispered questions, was race a part of it? >> what's interesting, joe wilson, i served with him. he always seemed like a great guy. he is a great guy. i was surprised he was angry to

that degree. for him to stand-up, and you see that still shot of him and pointing and yelling. it shows just how angry, not only republicans, but people on the far left have been as well. again, it emit mizs how this has been about facts and emotions. joe is not the guy you expect to stand-up and shout. as you say, i'm that type of guy. you would expect me to do that when i was in congress. >> i've known you for a long time. >> as a politician, you pray for the opportunity to be gracious, to accept somebody else's apology. joe wilson gave that opportune toy to barack obama. >> thank you very much for coming on tonight. new numbers from the census bureau underline the economic problems feeding this health care debate.

the poverty rate in the united states, jumped last year to the highest level in over a decade. 13.2% of the united states population. median household income in this country fell by $1800 to $50,300 a year. that is lower than it was a decade ago in america. the number of uninsured americans, basically unchanged. the number of government insurance plans jumped. 87.4% of americans receiving their health care from the federal government. there's a simple and important reminder from health officials, don't forget your regular flu shot. with so much attention on swine flu these days, on this broadcast and others, there's real concern millions of americans will not protect themselves against the ordinary seas seasonal flu. robert bazell has more on what

could be a double threat this flu season. >> have you ever gotten shots before? >> every year. >> reporter: it's been a yearly ritual for many americans. getting their vaccinations against regular seasonal flu. >> are you ready? >> yep. >> reporter: today, experts urge people to continue getting them despite the threat of swine flu. health officials expect this year's flu to be a combination of seasonal and swine. the seasonal vaccine will be available in weeks. the swine flu vaccine is a month or so away. >> let's not let anyone make the mistake of waiting for the seasonal vaccine before the other vaccine is available. it would be a mistake. >> reporter: they recommend seasonal influenza vaccines for

children 6 months through 18, pregnant women and health care workers. the experts say they should get the seasonal now and the swine flu vaccine when it arrives. >> when a health care worker has influenza and goes to work, they have the possibility of spreading it to the patients they are privileged to care for. the consequences of that are tragic. >> reporter: studies show deaths from flu complications go down as much as 60% in intensive care units. >> there's important research out tonight. a single dose of the experime experimentexperimen experimental vaccine has a strong response. this shows the vaccine is working and may mean many people, especially adults will need one dose to protect against swine flu. that could be very good news. >> we have to hope that holds. bob, thanks.

from help to nature. there's welcome relief for parts of south texas that have been struggling with extreme drought. it's raining finally. some areas got as much as five inches in two hours. it may not be enough to make up for the crop and livestock loss. when we continue on a thursday night, a new list involving cell phones that has a lot of people buzzing. later, more on health care in this country. what does your local first

when she started forgetting things, i was hoping it was nothing. grandma! what a nice surprise! mom, it's sunday. that's when i knew i couldn't wait. mom's doctor said these were signs of alzheimer's, a type of dementia, and that prescription aricept could help. he said it's the only treatment proven effective... for all stages of alzheimer's. studies showed aricept slows the progression...

of alzheimer's symptoms. it improves cognition... and slows the decline of overall function. aricept is well tolerated but not for everyone. people at risk for stomach ulcers... or who take certain other medicines... should tell their doctors... because serious stomach problems... such as bleeding may get worse. some people may experience fainting. some people may have nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bruising, or not sleep well. some people may have muscle cramps... or loss of appetite or may feel tired. in studies, these were usually mild and temporary. mom. talk to your doctor about aricept. don't wait. alzheimer's isn't waiting. we mentioned this a minute ago. a story out about cell phones getting attention. researchers are debating whether the radiation from cell phones

poses a health risk. our report from rehema ellis. >> reporter: almost everywhere you turn, someone is on the cell phone. >> i wouldn't give up my cell phone. >> reporter: there 270 million cell phones nationwide. many have been concerned about whatcoms with this convenience. there's a level of radiation, the same kind that comes from microwave ovens. it's a less intense energy than that from x-rays. the environmental working group is pushing for more federal regulation. it's compiled data tr cell phone manufacturers and posted it on their website. they get 300,000 visitors a month to their site. traffic spiked to 100,000

visitors in one day. >> i think that speaks to the fact that consumers are obviously very interested in whether or not their cell phones are safe. >> reporter: a spokesman says the industry complies with all safety guidelines. >> we are not scientists. we rely on conclusions of the groups like the american cancer society. >> reporter: the majority of research shows no link. >> radiation strikes fear into people's hearts. this kind of radiation is the kind that based on the physics would not be caused to cause cancer. >> reporter: 87% of americans own cell phones. if you are concerned about radiation, use the phone less or use a hands free device. even the advocate si group admits the phones are hard to put down. >> we are still using our phones, but differently.

>> reporter: a personal decision and everyone has to make their own call. rehema ellis, nbc news, new york. >> we posted the list of cell phones named in the report. it's on our website. coming up, a great test of a new rocket. question is, will it have anywhere to fly? this is one way of getting vitamins and minerals. this is another. new total blueberry pomegranate cereal gives you 100% of the daily value of 12 essential vitamins and minerals. plus the bold new taste of blueberries and pomegranate with crispy whole grain flakes and crunchy oat clusters. total, a truly delicious way to get vitamins and minerals. how are you getting 100%? visit totalcereal.com and get a free sample. there are car radios... and then there is the voice-recognizing, text-out-loud-reading, turn-by-turn-direction-giving sync system...

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