i am here because of natoma. i'm here because of the countless others who have been forced in their lives with the added burden of medical bills they cannot pay. i do not think that is right. neither do you. that is why we need health insurance right now. health insurance reform right now. [cheers and applause] >> i am here because of my own mother's story. she died of cancer, and in the last six months of her life, she was on the phone in her hospital room arguing with insurance companies and set of focusing on getting well and spending time with her family. i'm here because of the millions who are denied coverage because of preexisting conditions or dropped from coverage when they get sick. i am here because of the small businesses forced to choose between health care and hiring. i am here because of the seniors unable to afford the prescriptions that they need. i am here because of the folks seeing their premiums go up 20% and 30% and 40% and 50% 60% in the year. ohio, i am here because that is not the america

that means that folks like natoma can field will have access to affordable insurance.that will happen this year. [applause] this year, insurance companies will no longer be able to drop coverage when people get sick or place lifetime limits are restricted annual limits on the care they can receive. this year, all new insurance plans will be required to offer free preventive care and this year, young adults will be able to stay on our parents policies until they are 26 years old. that all happens this year. [applause] this year, seniors who fall into coverage gap known as the dome of hall, will get some help -- the dome of whole will get help to pay for prescriptions. despite what some have said, these reforms will not cut your guaranteed benefits. let me repeat that -- they will not cut your guaranteed benefits. i would be wary of anybody who claim otherwise. these are repeat the reforms that take place right away. these reforms will not give the government more control over health care. they certainly will lead give the insurance companies more control over your healt

[applause] >> i'm signing up for natoma canfield. . . that ted's widow vickie is here. [applause] it's fitting that teddy's widow vickie is here and his niece, caroline, his son patrick who has helped make this for a reality. [cheers and applause] i remember seeing ted walk through that door in a summit in this room a year ago, one of his last book appearances. it was hard for him to make, but he was confident that we would do the right thing. our presence here today is remarkable and improbable, with all the punditry, all the lobbying, all the gameplay that passes for governing in washington, it's been easy at times to doubt our ability to do such a big income is such a complicated thing. to wonder if there are limits to what we have the people can still achieve. it's easy to succumb to the sense of cynicism about what's possible in this country. but today we are affirming that essential truth. a truth every generation is called to rediscover for health, that we are not a nation that scales back its aspirations. we are not -- [applause]

that means folks like natoma canfield will have access to affordable health care insurance. that happens this year. [applause] this year, insurance companies will no longer be able to drop people's coverage when they get sick or place lifetime limits or restricted annual limits on the amount of care that can receive. this year, all new insurance plans will be required to offer free preventive care. this year, and adults will be able to stay on their parents policies until they're 26 years old. that all happens this year. [applause] this year, seniors to fall in the coverage gap known as the doughnut hole will get some help to help pay for prescription drugs. i want seniors to know, despite what some have said, these reforms will not cut your guaranteed benefits. let me repeat that. it will not cut york benefits period. i would be wary of anyone who claims otherwise. these reforms will not give the government more control over your health care, they certainly will not give the insurance companies more control over your health care. these reforms give you more control over you

[shoes and a plus] -- [cheers and applause] the fact that natomas may lose her house, that is hard. [applause] my friend in green bay having to worry about her cancer and her debt at the same time, trying to explain that to our kids, that is hard. [applause] what his heart is with millions of families and small businesses are going through because we allow the insurance industry to run wild in this country. [applause] so let me remind everybody. those of us in public office were not sent to washington to do what is easy. [applause] we were not sent there because of the big fancy title. we were not sent there because of the big fancy office. we were not sent they're just so everybody can say how -- sent there just started can say how wonderful we are. we were sent there to do what is hard. [applause] we were sent there to take on the tough issues. [applause] we were sent there to solve the tough challenges. [applause] that is why we are there. [cheers and applause] in this moment, we are being called upon to fulfill our duty to the citizens of this nation and to future generations. s

the reason for that, candy, i think it started earlier this week with natoma canfield becoming the poster child or lady for health care reform. that struck such a cord within our caucus. dennis moore standing up to give a speech and the caucus was blackberried by a woman who works with him in kansas, thank you for voting for this. i know i am losing my job and unfortunately, i have just been diagnosed with cancer. without this bill, i'm lost. dennis ended by saying and she is 24. you could have heard a pin drop. this is about whose side you are on? clearly, this historic moment in the people's chamber, we are on the side of the american people and those that have been denied access to health care and those who have pre-existing conditions who have been denied and those who have had their policies rescinded? >> i think that puts you on the side not of the people if i take his calculation. what is left for republicans to do? congressman larson says they have the 216. so it is all over by the shouting? you guys vote know and move on? >> i don't know if they have the votes. house republicans

their future, instead of the futures of the family who are standing behind me and the families like natoma's. a lot of people are telling me this decision could cost me my job. >> reporter: it could very well cost members their jobs. that is the argument that the president and democratic leaders are making. it shouldn't be about politics. >> the white house certainly sounds confident. nothing is set until the democrats lock in the 216 votes needed to pass the health care reform bill. joining me is congressman john dingell. let's get an update from you on how you see the votes shaping up from your vantage point? >> we're going to win. the bill is going to pass. it's going to the president to be signed. 32 million people are going to get health care. we're going to see for the first time in a long time we're passing a massive budget reduction bill. and a deficit reduction bill. something which will mean 130-some billion dollars in reductions during the first ten years of the bill. in the second ten years, over $1.3 trillion. >> so representative dingell, the way you portray this bill, it's a w

natoma's family is here because she cannot be, and her sister, condi.tand up. -- connie, stand up. i am signing this bill for all the leaders who took up this calls through the generations, from teddy roosevelt and franklin roosevelt, from harry truman to lyndon johnson, from bill and hillary clinton to one of the deans who been fighting this along, john dingell. to senator ted kennedy, and it is fitting that ted's will come vicki -- that tads widow -- ted's widow, vicki, is here, and his knees caroline, and his son patrick, whose vote help make this reform our reality. i remember seeing ted will through that door to a summit in this room a year ago, one of his last public appearances. and it was hard for him to make it. but he was confident that we would do the right thing. our presence here today is remarkable an improbable. with all the punditry, all lobbying, all the game playing that passes for governing in washington, it has been easy at times to doubt our ability to do such a big thing, such a complicated thing. to wonder if there were limits tha

and i -- >> the only political kickbacks that are coming are to people like natoma canfield, who became the poster for the american people today. what's happening in terms of people being denied because of pre-existing conditions, having insurance policies rescinded on a gurney in the hospital. dennis moore, in our caucus, getting an e-mail while he was speaking. about a staff every who was just diagnosed with cancer, who will lose her coverage after he leaves congress. this is what's driving people in this country. >> there has been talk about the deals. nebraska has come out or will come out with a reconciliation bill. louisiana's still in there. >> connecticut. >> there's a new one for a north dakota bank. why is that? >> what the american people want to see is an up-or-down vote. after a year of debating this issue, after several decades of debating this issue, it comes down to whose side are you on? are you siding with the insurance industry? or are you siding on behalf of the people who have been waiting decades for this passage? >> that is a false choice. >> that's the real choic

he also talked about natoma from ohio, somebody who had cancer and didn't have health insurance and is going through a lot of angst over that, and difficulty. those kind of personal stories are actually winning some votes here. it is not just about political gamesmanship. some of these folks know that they are making their lives more difficult politically, but they have personal stories of people who have come to them in their districts who have been bankrupt because of health insurance costs, or seen a loved one go bankrupt. john showed up with a 10-year-old boy at his press conference who has autism, who is 10 years old and hasn't been able to get health insurance because no health insurance company wants to ensure him. that kid, as he pointed out at the press conference, within six months will be insured if this bill passes. some of these personal stories are sort of breaking through to some of these members and getting their votes. host: i am going to ask you to briefly explain how will it happen this child will be insured in six months. what does the legislation do? guest: the leg

it is because of natoma's family that we could not quit. have met people like ashley who worked for my campaign. where is she? there she is right in front. ashley decided to get involved with our campaign a couple of years ago because her own mother lost her job and with the help insurance. they had to file bankruptcy. ashley work tirelessly not to get me elected but to solve a problem. each of these americans made their voices heard. it is because of them and so many others and so many of you that real meaningful change is coming to the united states of america. it is because of you that we did not quit. it is because a few that congress did not quit. it is because if you that i did not quit. it is because of you. [applause] now, let me tell you what changel ooks like. those fighting change are still out there, still making a lot of noise about what this reform means. i want the american people to understnadand it -- go and look at what reform will mean for you. [laughter] i said this once or twice, but it bears repeating -- if you like yo

i am signing up for natoma. she had to give up her health coverage after rates were jacked up by more than 40%. she was terrified that an illness would mean that she would lose the house for parents built. she gave up her insurance. now she is lying in a hospital bed, as we speak, faced with just such an illness, praying she can somehow afford to get well without insurance. her family is here today because she can't be. and her sister connie is here. stand up. i am signing this bill for all the leaders -- up his cause to the generations, from teddy roosevelt and franklin roosevelt, from harry truman to lyndon johnson, from bill and hillary clinton to one of the deans who had been fighting this so long, john dingell -- [applause] to senator ted kennedy. and it is fitting that ted's widow is here. [applause] it is fitting that teddy's widow is here and his niece, caroline, his stoon patrick, whose vote helped make this reform reality. i remember seeing ted walked through that door and a summit in this room a year

that is different than the heart-wrenching stories of people as i've said like natoma canfield that -who made decisions to give up -- who made a decision to give up her healthcare to keep her house, a gamble that she's lost. >> i ask about the up or down vote because speaker pelosi said i'm quoting, i like it, the scenario because people don't have to vote on the senate bill. >> i would ask one of her -- i would ask one of her capable spokespeople on what she had to say. >> all right. but would you agree that there's there seems to be some inconsistency between what she said -- [inaudible] >> and then real quickly would you agree that it exacerbates the perception that this is a dirty or underhanded process? >> no. >> thank you, robert. there's been some reporting today that the israelis are considering even more settlement activity after their announcement during the vice president's trip last week. what is the reaction of the obama administration to this latest increase in the settlement activity? >> these are reports of? i don't want to base my comments off of would-be reports of.

natoma's family is here today because she cannot beat. her sister is here, stand up.use] i am signing this bill for all the leaders who took up this cause for the generations. from teddy roosevelt to franklin roosevelt, from harry truman to lyndon johnson, from bill and hillary clinton to one of the deans who has been fighting the so long, john dingell. [applause] to senator ted kennedy -- [applause] it is fitting that his widow vicky is here. [applause] it is fitting that his widow the key is here and his niece caroline, his son patrick was a boat helped make this reform a reality. [applause] i remember seeing ted walked through that door in a summit in this room one year ago, one of his last public appearances and it was hard for him to make it. he was confident that we would do the right thing. our presence here today is remarkable and improbable. with all but pundits and lobbyists and game playing that passes for governing in washington, it has been easy at times to doubt our ability to do such a big thing, such a complicated thing. to wonder if there are limits t

[shoes and a plus] -- [cheers and applause] the fact that natomas may lose her house, that is hard.[applause] my friend in green bay having to worry about her cancer and her debt at the same time, trying to explain that to our kids, that is hard. [applause] what his heart is with millions of families and small businesses are going through because we allow the insurance industry to run wild in this country. [applause] so let me remind everybody. those of us in public office were not sent to washington to do what is easy. [applause] we were not sent there because of the big fancy title. we were not sent there because of the big fancy office. we were not sent they're just so everybody can say how -- sent there just started can say how wonderful we are. we were sent there to do what is hard. [applause] we were sent there to take on the tough issues. [applause] we were sent there to solve the tough challenges. [applause] that is why we are there. [cheers and applause] in this moment, we are being called upon to fulfill our duty to the citizens of this nation and to future generations. so

[shoes and a plus] -- [cheers and applause] the fact that natomas may lose her house, that is hard. [applause] my friend in green bay having to worry about her cancer and her debt at the same time, trying to explain that to our kids, that is hard. [applause] what his heart is with millions of families and small businesses are going through because we allow the insurance industry to run wild in this country. [applause] so let me remind everybody. those of us in public office were not sent to washington to do what is easy. [applause] we were not sent there because of the big fancy title. we were not sent there because of the big fancy office. we were not sent they're just so everybody can say how -- sent there just started can say how wonderful we are. we were sent there to do what is hard. [applause] we were sent there to take on the tough issues. [applause] we were sent there to solve the tough challenges. [applause] that is why we are there. [cheers and applause] in this moment, we are being called upon to fulfill our duty to the citizens of this nation and to future generations. s

the president stopped by that meeting with a letter from natoma canfield of madina, ohio, that had been sent to the president. the president responded to it from december 29, 2009. i want to read this letter to give people a sense of what the president believes is at stake. "i am 50 years old. i was diagnosed with carcinoma 16 years ago. after my cobra benefits ran out, i was able to find a costly but affordable of health insurance. i have struggled to maintain my individual coverage and reduced might deductible in an effort to keep my health insurance. last year, my insurance premium was increased 25%, even though i increased my deductible and out of pocket to the highest limits available. i paid out over $6,000 in premiums, $2,000 for medical care, to under $25 in copays, and $1,500 for prescriptions -- and $224 in copays. the insurance company only paid out a total of $900 to my providers. in 2009, my insurance company received $6,075 in premiums and paid out only $900. incredibly, i have been notified that my premium for the next year, 2010, has been increased over 40% to $8,496.24.

president obama championed natoma canfield as a poster child for health care reform. she wrote him describing the fears of having to sell her home to pay medical bills. the cleveland clinic would not put a lean on her home but other hospitals could. >>> there is a problem with two great big problems. there is a problem. >> i don't know how they came up with doing that but it's kind of bad especially for a university. >> did you see what they left off of their claim for excellence? new for you in about 30 minutes you have to hear how the university explains that. one of the top. >> i saw it. >> they could be doing maybe texting speak, you leave stuff up. one of top. meet you lunch. >>> you're getting hit by all kinds of fees when you fly these days but the airlines aren't very clear what the fees are going to be, that could change. jennifer westhoven is looking out for you. good morning. >> yeah, thanks. when you buy an airline ticket you have the right to know what you're paying for, those are the words of the lawmaker who wants to add this measure into an faa bill. t

i am here because of natoma.cause of the countless others who have been forced to face the most terrifying challenges in their lives with the added burden of medical bills they cannot pay. i don't think that is right. neither do you. that is why we need health insurance right now. health insurance reform right now. [applause] i'm here because of my own mother's story. she died of cancer, and in the last six months of her life, she was on the phone in her hospital room arguing with insurance companies and set of focusing on getting well and spending time with her family. i'm here because of the millions who are denied coverage because of pre-existing conditions or dropped from coverage when they get sick. [applause] i'm here because of the small businesses who are forced to choose between health care and hiring. i am here because of the seniors unable to afford the prescriptions that they need. [applause] i am here because of the folks seeing their premiums go up 20% and 30% and 40% and 50% and 60% in a year. [app