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Pulse of the People on Health Care; Showdown in the Show-Me State; Shouting Down Specter; Helping the Uninsured; GM Selling Cars on EBay; Eunice Shriver Dies at 88; Covering the Illegals?; Specter's Health Care Town Hall
Aired August 11, 2009 - 09:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Hitting the road for health care reform, President Obama takes his message to the people at a New Hampshire town hall. Packing other health care sessions. Lots of people want to sound off to members of Congress. We all have a stake in this debate. And the hidden cost in your hospital bill. Our Dr. Sanjay Gupta breaks it all down for you.
Good morning, everybody. I'm Heidi Collins. It is Tuesday, August 11th, and you are in the CNN NEWSROOM.
Make or break month in health care reform. As you know, Congress is in recession, and the lawmakers have gone back home, they're getting a real earful from angry constituents. In fact, we've got our crews all over the country to bring you the forum and face-offs that are happening this morning.
Jessica Yellin is, in fact, in Pennsylvania where one senator has already faced ruckus crowds. We'll tell you all about that, Arlen Specter there, of course. And Ali Velshi aboard the CNN Express. His first stop today is Chattanooga, Tennessee. Americans are telling their own stories on health care reform.
And Ted Rowlands is following a mission to bring health care to everyone. Today, people line up for free clinic in Los Angeles.
First, I want to give you a glimpse of what lawmakers are facing as they host meetings with constituents.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're number 60 in line. There's probably 400 or 500 behind us.
(CROSSTALK)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I've stood here -- I've been here since 3:00.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He just shoved his way in.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: Short tempers, long lines, and a jam-packed day ahead in the health care debate. Well, first, let's get the pulse of the people.
CNN's Ali Velshi is aboard the CNN Express talking to Americans about health care as he travels through a half dozen states. He is joining us from his first stop, that's Chattanooga, Tennessee.
So, Ali, if you could, tell us a little bit more about what you are expecting to see and who you're going to talk with today.
Hey, Ali, can you hear me?
ALI VELSHI, CNN SENIOR BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Heidi, we are in -- I got you, Heidi. I didn't hear what you asked me, but I do hear you.
COLLINS: All right. Go for it. Tell us what we're looking at behind you, the obvious CNN Express, where you're going to go, who you're going to talk to, and what you expect today.
VELSHI: And that's the beautiful Tennessee River right behind it in Chattanooga. We've crossed over the Georgia border into Tennessee.
We spent yesterday evening here talking to people about a few things. One of them is health care, what their impressions are of health care. We've learned that they're really interested in costs, they're interested in choice, they want to know that they can get the quality of health care that they need.
We've also talked to people about the economy. And we've met people on all sides. We met -- some people telling us that they are feeling worse now than they did six or eight months ago. But I met a real estate agent who said sales are picking up here.
So we're going to move on now. We're going to move this bus out of here in a couple of minutes, head north into Tennessee, probably get to Kentucky, into Kentucky, and we'll be talking to people about two things. How are they forming their opinions on health care, because clearly everybody's forming an opinion about health care reform, and how are people doing compared to a year ago before the worst of the financial crisis hit.
Are they actually feeling an improvement? And where are they feeling that improvement? Or are they not? That's the kind of thing we want to get. We're in the heartland for the next five days and we're going to be talking specifically about how they're feeling about health care and the economy, Heidi.
COLLINS: All right. Well, great. We're really looking forward to that because obviously we have seen these town halls and we're trying to get a really good idea of...
VELSHI: Yes.
COLLINS: ... all the different sides that are involved here. And it is a very, very big issue. So make sure you check in with us, because we want to hear more and hear about what people are saying.
VELSHI: Yes.
COLLINS: OK?
VELSHI: I'll talk to you later in the hour, and let's talk a little bit about what I've been hearing on health care.
COLLINS: Love that. All right, Heidi. We'll check in a few more minutes.
VELSHI: OK.
COLLINS: Meanwhile, showdown in the Show-Me State in health care forums across Missouri. People's reactions have been from one extreme to the other. That's for sure.
Let's get the very latest now from CNN's Brianna Keilar.
BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Heidi, Senator McCaskill was supposed to have two town hall events today, but the one this morning was canceled. Officials at the high school where it was supposed to be held were concerned about security.
Now neither of the senator's town hall events yesterday got completely out of control, but one came pretty close.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KEILAR (voice-over): Poplar Bluff in southeastern Missouri, it's rural communities like this one where Democrats are trying to win the health care debate. And as Senator Claire McCaskill is well, aware, it's a tough crowd.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is more about power and control than it is about health care. Because health care's only the first...
(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's only the first step to socialism.
KEILAR: While McCaskill's town hall meeting in Poplar Bluff threatened to boil over at times.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Why are they sitting up here in front...
KEILAR: ... 50 miles southeast in Kennett, another smaller meeting was downright civil. One audience member, a critic of Democrats' health care reform efforts asked McCaskill what she makes of the recent rowdiness at health care events. She was empathetic.
SEN. CLAIRE MCCASKILL (D), MISSOURI: I think it was a huge mistake for anyone to suggest that anybody's who is opposed to the health care plan is manufactured. It's not manufactured now. Now I think both sides are organizing, but that's what we do in a democracy.
KEILAR: As McCaskill tried to disarm critics of the Democrat's proposal for a government-run insurance plan that she supports, she was also quick to rebuff conservative claims. That it would limit care for seniors, and fund abortions.
MCCASKILL: There is nothing in the bill that mandates any kind of abortion coverage. That's just simply not true.
KEILAR: Or that it's a government takeover of health care.
MCCASKILL: I can tell you Congress is not going to pass a single payer plan.
KEILAR: And McCaskill pointed a finger at insurance companies.
MCCASKILL: In 2007 they made $12.9 billion in profits. So we've got to do something about health insurance reform. If you get really sick and lose your job, they have the right to say we're not going to give you insurance.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KEILAR: And that's really a key talking point for Democrats. Painting insurance companies as the bad guys here. Democratic leaders in the House and Senate pushed congressional Democrats to hit hard on that point as they spend this critical month on health care in their home districts and states, Heidi.
COLLINS: All right, Brianna, thanks so much for that.
Now back to President Obama and his health care road trip today. Later this morning, he has supports from New Hampshire. Crews have been scrambling to get the high school ready there for what may be a boisterous town hall meeting.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
COREY LEWANDOWSKI, NEW HAMPSHIRE CHAIRMAN, AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY: I think we're going to see upwards of 1,000 people coming from every demographic, from old to young, from wealthy to poor, protesting this notion.
MIKE BRUNELLE, NEW HAMPSHIRE DEMOCRATIC PARTY: There are many people that are going there to show their support, rallying for in favor of health care reform, and showing their support of the president and his policies.
SGT. RUSSELL RUSSO, PORTSMOUTH, N.H. POLICE: At the end of the day, everyone's safe, no one's hurt and the president's on his way home, we'll be happy.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: Want to let you know we will have live coverage of the president's town hall meeting in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. It's scheduled to begin at 1:00 Eastern.
Well, one lawmaker who has become a lightning rod of protesters is recent Republican defector Arlen Specter. The senator, now a Democrat, has faced rowdy crowds back home in Pennsylvania. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. ARLEN SPECTER (D), PENNSYLVANIA: We divide up the bill, we have to make judgments very fast so people can...
(SHOUTING)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: Senator Specter is likely to face more raucous crowds today, as he holds two more town hall meetings. One of them begins in about half an hour in Lebanon, that's where we find CNN national political correspondent Jessica Yellin.
Jessica, go ahead. Set the scene for us today. What do we expect?
JESSICA YELLIN, CNN NATIONAL POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Heidi, well, there are already hundreds of people lined up to go into this event here in a very small town in Pennsylvania because Arlen Specter has been, as you say, at the center of many of these debates over health care reform at the town halls.
Now, one of the reasons, Heidi, is because the health care fight is clashing with a bare-knuckled political brawl in this state as Senator Specter fights for his political life. He switched parties to ensure for him that he'd win reelection here. And those who don't like his politics are really showing it at these town halls.
As you'll recall last week, he was shouted down by one of the first early protesters against the health care reform. They were challenging him for allegedly not reading the bill. Today, many protesters lined up behind me. Arlen Specter, the senator will start off with a statement and then take their questions.
I should point out, Heidi, there are plenty of people on the other side organized to support the health care bill so expect a very lively debate -- Heidi.
COLLINS: All right. So we will continue to stick with you and make sure that we get some of that and some of the back story there from a lot of these town halls that are going on because sometimes we end up hearing from people it's just this craziness. And we want to make sure that people understand that there are actually some good civilized discussions happening, as well.
So we, of course, will check in with you a little bit later on. Jessica Yellin, our national political correspondent, there. Thanks, Jessica.
Volunteering to help the uninsured here. Now one group that brings free medical care to remote areas is setting up shop this week in the big city, that big city, Los Angeles.
And CNN's Ted Rowlands is live now in the L.A. suburb of Inglewood this morning. So, Ted, good morning to you. I understand people have actually been lining up. There's something like 3:00 a.m. West Coast time.
TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Heidi, actually they've been out here all night. People came in at 11:00 last night and they spent the night. This is a line going into the forum here and that's where they'll be getting the medical attention.
But let me show you where the folks have been spending the night out in the parking lot of the forum and what they did was they set up some old bleachers. They pulled them out into the parking lot here to allow people to at least be somewhat comfortable.
They have a couple of port-a-potties, but as you can imagine, 1500 plus people packed into this parking lot here. And they are ready for their opportunity to get in here. One of the people that was out here last night early this morning and starting last night and has spent the entire morning here is Jamelle Williams, and you're here for what?
JAMELLE WILLIAMS, UNINSURED WORKER: Glasses, teeth cleaning, and possibly a pap smear if I have time.
ROWLANDS: You have two jobs, you're not insured.
WILLIAMS: Right.
ROWLANDS: So how -- why -- I mean, what's your situation? In terms of -- you just don't go to the dentist? Don't go get your eyes checked?
WILLIAMS: Well, no, I was out of work for about nine months, and I was a full-time student for about five years, and so once I needed services, I would try to go but couldn't afford it or wouldn't qualify for free, and I applied and have a share of costs with the medic house system. And so, you know, this is just the best opportunity that I could take to get the services that I need.
ROWLANDS: Spent the night out here. Jamelle, one of 1500 people, Heidi. The tickets sold out by 5:00 a.m. this morning. They're going to be here all week. This is an organization that started in 1985. And inside waiting for these folks are dental chairs all set up, eye exam machines, and doctors who are all providing their assistance for free.
Typically, the company is called Remote Area Medical.
COLLINS: Yes.
ROWLANDS: And for the last 20 years, most, of course, their businesses, if you will, has been outside of the United States in rural areas, but over the past few years, they've been holding these types of situations in large cities and in small towns around the U.S. and what they are seeing everywhere they go is this sort of scenario.
People waiting to get an opportunity for free medical care and Los Angeles here, they're going to be here for five days to accommodate as many people as they can.
COLLINS: Wow.
ROWLANDS: But the fact that -- we've been seeing all morning here people coming and waiting with their children being turned away. Told to come back tomorrow, come back tomorrow. So it's heart breaking on one end, but phenomenal on the other these people get the medical care they need.
COLLINS: Yes. Very much so. Boy, I didn't realize they had been out there all night long either. Ted Rowlands we sure do appreciate that and want to let you and everybody at home know that coming up a little bit later this hour, we are actually going to be talking with the founder of the Remote Area Medical Volunteer Corps.
We're going to ask him about the challenges he faces providing that type of free medical care. Going to be a good one so make sure you stick around for that.
Meanwhile, California's budget crisis has taken a bite out of statewide health care programs. The latest budget agreement took $13 billion from Medicare. That's the state's health care program for the poor. More than 12 percent of California's population actually live below the poverty line. Excuse me, that's $1.3 billion from Medi-Cal as you see there on the screen.
$226 million came out of the health care program for the disabled and another $124 million was actually cut from the program that helps low-income children. Quite a situation there.
Buying your car on eBay. Not from an owner, but a big three automaker. We've got details of the deal coming up.
JACQUI JERAS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: And I'm CNN meteorologist Jacqui Jeras. The tropics, they're starting to heat up. Check out these big waves from Hawaii yesterday, surfers were out in full force. We'll have the latest on tropical storm Felicia, plus a new system in the Atlantic and all of the day's weather coming up in your forecast right after our break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: Well, it works for individual car owners. Now a struggling big three automaker is trying it out. Just moments ago, General Motors gave some details on its plans to sell up to 20,000 vehicles on eBay.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FRITZ HENDERSON, PRESIDENT AND CEO, GENERAL MOTORS: Customers will be able to buy actual vehicles just like they do on eBay by choosing an option of a pre-determined buy it now price or by negotiating online. You can do all of your research and price negotiation online in the comfort of your own home.
(END VIDEO CLIP) COLLINS: Sounds pretty good. CNN's Stephanie Elam is joining us now from New York with all you need to know about this deal.
Now you weren't here the other day when we're talking about this, Stephanie, but I said, you know, I don't even buy shoes online. So I wonder if there's going to be a lot of people who are going to do this.
STEPHANIE ELAM, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Yes, I find it really hard to buy pants online, let alone a car. I guess it requires going there first and checking out a car and then going and doing it online.
COLLINS: Yes. Maybe, yes.
ELAM: I'm really hearing myself in my ear.
COLLINS: I hate that.
ELAM: Something's out.
COLLINS: You know that happened at the beginning of the show, we're still recovering, but we've got it now.
ELAM: You got it now?
COLLINS: Yes.
ELAM: OK. I think I do, too.
COLLINS: You go, you can take it out. I won't talk to you. You just do your thing.
ELAM: I can hear you now and not hear myself. Life is good.
COLLINS: OK.
ELAM: But I don't want to seem like I was being rude, Heidi, but yes, this is a four-week trial that GM is going to do here. Test some waters, see how this works out.
COLLINS: Yes.
ELAM: With 225 of their dealers in California. So if you're outside of the Golden State, not so much for you. This isn't going to work so well. But they just want to try out right now. They're going to sell Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Pontiac cars through these 225 dealers. And they said they'll have a selection of up to 20,000 vehicles and they'll be selling 2008, 2009, and 2010 models on the Web site.
Now the program does begin today and the thing about this Web site is it's not just that you just go on there and say OK, this is what I buy and then you have to buy the -- you know, the manufactured price on it, the retail price on it. No, you can either do one of two things. You can go on and haggle, and say I want to work on this. This is what I want to make deals on.
Or you can buy the advertised price, which is whatever the deal of the month happens to be, you know, you see the commercials, you can buy that one right away go in and say which options you want.
I played around with the Web site myself, typed in the zip code of where I grew up in California, because I still had that one memorized, and just found out where I could find cars around it, and said for the car that I was looking for, I was looking at an envoy that you would just -- it shows you how far away, how many miles away that car would be and then you could start looking at all the details you want.
COLLINS: OK. Well, cool.
ELAM: And -- yes.
COLLINS: There's also some news to tell us, I think, isn't there, about the Chevy Volt? What's going on with that?
ELAM: Yes, we did hear some interesting news about the Volt. You may have seen these ads all throughout. There were these ads that had just like that smiling plug and it said 2, 3, and the plug was the zero? I've seen them. Well, now they're telling us that that was actually them for the Chevy Volt because they expect 230 miles per gallon in city driving and that, obviously, would be big news there. It'd be the first mass produced car with triple-digit fuel economy.
That isn't in fact confirmed. And it's also expected to travel 40 miles on a single charge and this car is expected to go on sale late next year. So, obviously, they're looking to make some changes there, really get into that market and make a difference and have a viable option for a plug-in car.
Of course, they're still working out some of the details like what happens if you're in the urban area and you need a charge.
COLLINS: Yes.
ELAM: Where do you go, if you don't have a garage to do that.
COLLINS: Right.
ELAM: So those are some of the things they're working on there. But obviously...
COLLINS: OK.
ELAM: With all of the difficulty, they're trying to make things a little bit better for GM.
COLLINS: Yes. And I wanted to say growing up in Minnesota where it was freezing, freezing cold, we plugged in our cars all the time.
ELAM: Did you really?
COLLINS: Yes.
ELAM: Yes. Sure.
(LAUGHTER)
COLLINS: All right. Stephanie, I'm not kidding.
ELAM: Yes, that sounds normal.
COLLINS: All right. Well, we'll check back with you a little bit later on. Appreciate it.
ELAM: All right. Thanks.
COLLINS: President Obama wants health care available to all Americans. So what about immigrants who are here illegally? Our insider breaking it down for you in just a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: Eunice Kennedy Shriver, founder of the Special Olympics, died early this morning. She was known for championing the rights of the mentally disabled. Shriver started the Special Olympics as a day camp in her backyard back in 1962.
She died early this morning surrounded by family at a hospital in Hyannis, Massachusetts. Shriver was the sister of President John F. Kennedy and Senator Ted Kennedy. Eunice Kennedy Shriver was 88 years old.
As you may know, Shriver's brother, Senator Edward Kennedy, has been a longtime champion of health care reform. One stumbling block, who should be covered?
Here to tackle that, our "Insider," CNN chief medical correspondent and practicing neurosurgeon, Dr. Sanjay Gupta.
All right. So, welcome to you, Sanjay.
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Thank you.
COLLINS: But first, if you would, listen to this question with me for just a moment.
GUPTA: Sure.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
CALLER: Hi. This is Randy from Alaska. Do they plan to cover illegal immigrants with their health care plan and their children?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GUPTA: That's a very interesting question, and controversial one at that. Trying to figure out who these uninsured are and who exactly would be covered under any specific bill. Now when it comes to undocumented workers, illegal immigrants, as Randy mentioned there, how exactly will they fit into the system? You know, we said all along, Heidi, we don't know for sure, but the president was asked about this specifically by Katie Couric. Here's how he responded.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KATIE COURIC, CBS NEWS ANCHOR: Do you think any illegal immigrant should be eligible under the new plan?
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: No. The one exception that I will think has to be discussed is, how are we treating children? Partly because if you've got children who may be here illegally, but are still in playgrounds and at schools and potentially are passing on, you know, illnesses and communicable diseases...
COURIC: Aren't getting vaccinated.
OBAMA: Aren't getting vaccinated. That's, I think, a situation where you may have to make an exception.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GUPTA: So pretty firm no there, Heidi and Randy, as you can see with regard to at least adult undocumented workers.
Heidi, as you know, we read this entire House bill, at least, trying to drill down on the specifics of this because the devil's in the details.
COLLINS: Yes, like 1,200 pages, right?
GUPTA: Right. Over 1,000 pages. One of the things that we found specifically did have to do with this idea of undocumented workers. It was actually section 246 for people who are paying attention.
COLLINS: Oh come on.
GUPTA: But take a look here. A lot of people are reading this.
COLLINS: Yes. Yes. Yes.
GUPTA: They say, "Nothing in the subtitles shall allow federal payments for affordability credits on behalf of individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States."
What that basically means is that, you know, part of the bill saying it's not going to cover people who are undocumented workers or illegal aliens. Two loopholes that we found. One is, let's say you have a legal parent and an illegal mother, illegal father and illegal mother, what happens to that family, what happens to that child? Number one. Number two is what is the verification process going to be? If you go sign up for public health plan, for example, how are they going to check exactly what their status and how much is that going to be enforced? So those are two potential new loopholes.
COLLINS: Yes. All right. Well, I also know that Congressional Budget Office is looking over some of these proposals. We will talk with you more about that next time around.
GUPTA: OK.
GUPTA: OK.
COLLINS: Sure do appreciate it.
GUPTA: Sure, Heidi.
COLLINS: Our chief medical correspondent and "Insider," Dr. Sanjay Gupta, thank you.
GUPTA: Thank you.
COLLINS: Also more on health care reform. A make or break month, in fact, as lawmakers get an earful from their constituents. We're going to check in on one of those forums. Live pictures for you right now. Going on in Pennsylvania. We're back in just a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANNOUNCER: Live in the CNN NEWSROOM, Heidi Collins.
COLLINS: The Federal Reserve kicks off a two-day policy meeting today. Will Wall Street make any big bets before hearing from the Fed? And Felicia Taylor is at the New York Stock Exchange with more details on this.
Good morning to you there, Felicia.
FELICIA TAYLOR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Heidi. Well, we're not expecting any big move for the open today, even though we did see a big jump in worker productivity. Second quarter productivity surged 6.4 percent, and that's the biggest jump in nearly six years.
Now the increase isn't due to more goods being produced. Instead, it's because businesses have been cutting hours and, of course, payroll. There you've got the opening bell. Faster than the decline in output.
Gas prices are down, but just barely. AAA says the national average for a gallon of regular unleaded dipped to $2.64 a gallon. That marks the first decrease in 21 days.
Now while prices may seem high, keep in mind that gas prices as you probably remembered topped $4 last summer.
And there's a bidding war taking off, Southwest Airlines increased its bid for Frontier Airlines for $170 million. That's well above the $108 million that Republic Airways offered earlier this summer.
COLLINS: Yes.
TAYLOR: A bankruptcy court auction is planned for Thursday.
Take a look at the early numbers as we just heard the opening bell. The Dow is off about 30 points or 1/3 of 1 percent, the NASDAQ is off .5 percent and the S&P is also off about 1/3 of 1 percent. So far in early morning trade.
Back to you.
COLLINS: OK. Yes. I'm interested to see what happens with Frontier Airlines there, Denver, we'll stay on top of that tomorrow, I guess.
All right. Thanks so much, Felicia Taylor. Thank you.
August, a make or break month in the health care debate. Lawmakers are on summer recess but instead of getting a break, they're getting an early from constituents. And we are stepping in on some of those town hall meetings. This one we're looking at about to get underway in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, hosted by that man Senator Arlen Specter who defected earlier this year from the Republican Party.
I am being told that there are overflowed crowds there. A lot of people still standing on the outside as we have seen some of these other town halls across the country, trying to get in and get a seat and listen to what the senator has to say this morning.
So our Jessica Yellin is there. We will continue to monitor this, and keep you posted. In fact, let's get to Jessica right now.
So yes, Jessica, they're telling me that there are a whole lot of people there that are not going to probably be able to get inside this town hall meeting.
JESSICA YELLIN, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Heidi, as many people outside this meeting as will be inside. They've already shut the doors. There's 250 people who were allowed in, and many hundreds stationed on the block around it. Protesting both in favor and against any health care reform proposals.
The senator has been the target of some very, very heated debate on this topic. His town hall last week was one of the first where they had some big protests. So many folks organized today. A group behind me is calling themselves -- well, the tea baggers are here holding a tea bag rally, and they're protesting, shouting, we are the angry mob, hear our voice. There's another group here chanting health care now, health care now. Police are turning folks away saying, look, it's full, you can't get in, but these people want to stay here to make sure their views are heard.
And just to give you a sense, even though it's noisy and crowded here, I talk to a number of people who said, look, I'm passionate about this, but excited because this is what democracy is about. We should care about our health care reform.
Heidi?
COLLINS: All right, Jessica. It's definitely getting loud behind you. We will stay on top of this story and come back to you should we need to do that. Hopefully everybody will be able to get some of their questions answered today by Senator Specter.
Thanks so much.
So, we also want to know this. Are you attending a town hall event? We'd love to hear from you, the people in the room, that is. Send your videos and pictures to iReport.com, and tell us what the event was like. It's all part of our make or break month. Health care in America coverage on CNN.
Also President Obama taking his sales pitch on the road now. Later this morning, in fact, he leaves for New Hampshire to host a town hall meeting in Portsmouth.
CNN's Elaine Quijano is at the White House for us this morning. So, Elaine, is the president tweaking his message now just a little bit with all of the activity that we have seen at these town hall meetings across the country?
ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Yes. You know, the president really is tweaking his message. He is tailoring that sales pitch, if you will, trying to aim it more directly, Heidi, at people who have health insurance right now. People who are covered. He's heading to Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
And even though he's held other town halls on health care reform, aides say today he's really going to drive home, or try to drive home that message. That even if a person is covered, that, in fact, the system itself is still broken.
So in New Hampshire, we expect the president to talk about how there's a need to change the system to make sure for instance that health insurance companies aren't able to deny a person coverage because they've got a pre-existing condition.
Meantime, given all the fireworks that have taken place at other town hall meetings across the nation, I asked this morning White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs whether the White House is expecting a bit of a bumpy ride today in New Hampshire.
Here's what he said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROBERT GIBBS, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: The president has been answering questions from the American people, not in pre-scripted or stacked town hall meetings. These tickets are given out by those -- to those who want to come. People raise their hands. The president picks them. And we discuss calmly and rationally the issues that are affecting the American people. I don't think anything different will happen today.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
QUIJANO: Now, who's going to be in the audience? We're told to expect about 1,800 people at the town hall that the president will be speaking at. And a senior administration official says the tickets were handed out, 70 percent of them distributed through the White House Web site, as well as the high school where this event is taking place. And the other 30 percent, Heidi, handed out through members of Congress' offices as well as community groups there in New Hampshire.
So we're told, as well, that there are some protests planned for outside or at least some demonstrations planned for outside. But Robert Gibbs saying at least within the town hall meeting itself, they're not necessarily expecting fireworks per se.
COLLINS: Yes, OK. Well, quickly before I let you go, we were looking at a Web site. I understand the president has a new Web site regarding health care?
QUIJANO: Yes. They've launched a new page on the White House Web site. And the administration is calling it reality check. They're obviously trying to push back against some of the criticisms that have been out there about health care reform. This really is just the latest tool that the White House is using to try and counter some of the arguments that are out there. But, clearly, a sign that administration officials are concerned, Heidi, that maybe some of these arguments are starting to get some traction - Heidi.
COLLINS: All right. Elaine Quijano in front of the White House for us this morning. Thank you, Elaine.
QUIJANO: Sure.
COLLINS: For live coverage of the president's town hall remarks, you can stay right here with CNN. It will come your way 1:00 p.m. Eastern.
In the meantime, let's go ahead and take a moment to get back to the town hall meeting underway right now in Lebanon, Pennsylvania.
You see Senator Arlen Specter there. I want to go ahead and listen in for just a moment as he addresses the crowd.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SPECTER: Because people are uninsured, everybody is paying an additional $1,000. It's a hidden tax. But when people go to the emergency rooms, taxpayers end up paying for it. And we want to solve that issue. And these are all very, very important matters. Well, I'm up to 6 1/2 minutes, that's about as long as anybody ought to talk. I have allotted an hour and a half for this meeting.
And we have distributed cards, first come first serve for 30 people to ask questions. And who has card number one?
If you want to stay in the hall, if you want to stay in the hall, we're not going to tolerate any demonstrations or any booing. So it's up to you. Who has number one?
Go ahead.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don't know how I got number one, but I did.
SPECTER: Let's hear your question.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: OK. First, could I make a short statement? I like to say...
SPECTER: No. No, you cannot make a short statement, but you can ask a short question.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: OK. I want to know that whatever health care plan is passed by my representatives, my senators, they are going to be under the exact same plan. I understand at this point you're not. Not good enough for us.
SPECTER: Well, I already mentioned that in my opening. My idea is to have the same plan available to every American that members of Congress have. One of the ideas we have is to have what is called an exchange. So individual citizens don't go to deal with the insurance companies one at a time. Because if you do, your rates will be a lot higher than General Motors, which has a big plan so you have an exchange --
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: Well, unfortunately, it sounds to me like we have lost the audio coming to us out of Lebanon, Pennsylvania. The town hall meeting that Senator Arlen Specter is holding. I imagine we will get that back very shortly. But just wanted to give you a little bit of flavor right off the top of this meeting that's taking place. And we heard that the senator said there are 30 cards with questions on them and people from the audience will be asking those questions.
Let's listen to another one right now.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don't like the fact that my elected officials are running around calling me un-American, a rabble-rouser, a mobster.
(APPLAUSE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I have no Nazi symbols with me. I'm sick of the lies. I don't like being lied to. I don't like being lied about. This administration is doing both of those things. Now, I want you as my senator to go back to Washington, D.C. and tell those people to do what the president said that I should do is shut up and get out of the way. (OFF-MIKE)
SPECTER: Well, I'm not calling you a rabble-rouser. We had -- we had -- we had a session a week ago, Sunday, nine days ago. And the secretary of health was there and some people were talking about it being organized. And I was asked and I said well, in America, people have a right to organize. And if it's organized, that's fine. And you have a right to freedom of speech. And I make it a point to lay it on the line with you. I've done that my entire career, I'm known for it, and I will continue it.
Who has number three? Yes, sir.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Good morning, Senator Specter. I appreciate your time and your courage to show up today. I want to first tell you I'm here on my own free will and accord and not with a group or affiliated organization.
On page 16 of one of the bills, it eliminates -- essentially eliminates the private option with buy and prohibiting the creation of new policies. What are you going to -- first of all, this is going to take away my freedom and it hurts the capitalism through the creation of a monopoly.
What are you specifically going to do to ensure that the private option is there and viable?
SPECTER: The plan will allow people who have insurance coverage at the present time through their employers or individual aides to maintain their current policy. If you like your policy, you can keep it. There is a...
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If it changes, if that policy changes, it prohibits the creation of a new policy.
SPECTER: Well, the question is if the policy changes, it creates a new program. Well, first of all, as I said before, there's no bill in the Senate. There is no bill in the Senate.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What is your specific plan to ensure that when you have a viable public option in your words that you will only vote if this verbiage is in the bill?
SPECTER: Well, how can I be sure we'll have a private option or a public option?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Private option...
SPECTER: You want to have a private option, you will have it. You can maintain your current policy. If there's a change, you can have a modification of a policy. The idea on a public option means just that, an option. Not to be exclusive, not to have only a public plan. If it were a plan, it wouldn't be an option. When you say public option, you have that with options that are different through the exchange and through private companies.
This country -- this country is a capitalistic country, and free enterprise. And insurance - and...
(CROSSTALK)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You are not letting all...
SPECTER: You want to be -- you want to be led out of here? You're welcome to go. Now, wait a minute, now, wait a minute, now, wait a minute, now wait a minute. Wait a minute. Wait a minute.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I have every right to leave.
SPECTER: Wait a minute, wait a minute, he has a right to leave. He's right. He has...
Wait a minute! Wait a minute! Wait a minute!
Wait a minute! You want to leave? Leave.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I am going to speak my mind before I leave, because your people told me I could. I called your office and I was told I could have the mic to speak. And then I was lied to, because I came prepared to speak and instead you wouldn't let anybody speak. You handed out, what, 30 cards. Well, I've got news for you -- that you and your cronies in the government do this kind of stuff all the time.
Well, I don't care. I don't care how crooked you are. I'm not a lobbyist with all kind of money to stuff in your pocket so that you can cheat the citizens of this country. So I'll leave, and you can do whatever you're pleased to do. One day God's going to stand before you, and he's going to judge you and the rest of your damn cronies up on the Hill. And the rest of your damn cronies up on the Hill. And then you will get your just deserts. I'm leaving.
SPECTER: OK, OK, OK. We've just had a demonstration of democracy, OK.
When the gentleman says he is to satisfied with a procedure, we have to figure out some way to have an orderly procedure. An hour and a half is a fair amount of time. And we had a lot of notice that there would be a lot of people here. And we had his comment, and I made a decision that although he didn't have a card to let him speak his piece. But if he wanted to leave, he has a right to leave. But when he says that I'm trampling on constitutional rights, I have to disagree with him. I'm encouraging constitutional rights. I'm encouraging constitutional rights by coming to Lebanon to talk to my constituents. I could be somewhere else. I don't get in the extra pay. I don't have any requirement to be here. But for somebody who -- OK.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Report for us. Report for us.
SPECTER: OK, OK, Number -- well, I am reporting to you. Number four.
Lady, you have the floor. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I did not want to pay on a health care plan that includes the right for a woman to kill her unborn baby. Is it true that this plan is in the health care bill?
SPECTER: The question is, will there be payments for abortions in the health care bill?
Well, first of all, we don't have a bill in the Senate, as I said. And what we are -- what we are looking toward is to have both options. That if you want to have a health care plan which does not have payment for abortions, you can have that one where you'll not be charged for somebody who has an abortion.
Now if you want a different health care plan, an option where you can have payment for abortion and you pay for it, because there'll be a little bigger premium, you'll have the choice of being in one plan or the other. So nobody, nobody has to be in a plan to pay for somebody else's abortion.
Who has number five? Yes, sir?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: President Obama stated more than once his goal is to have a single payer system. Are you for a single payer system? And will you vote for a bill that would make a single payer system, either through the bill or in the future?
SPECTER: I'm prepared to keep single payer on the table as a matter of consideration and flexibility. I believe -- I believe that when we're in the formative stage of figuring out what to do that we ought to consider every option. And we ought to hear the people out. I know the public opinion polls are high in favor of single payer. I know that.
OK, OK, OK, well, I guess you can get a poll about any way you want it. But my idea is to keep the public option on the table, to keep single payer on the table, to get a sense in America as we're going to be debating this all month when meetings like these and figure out what the American people would like to have. So I'm -- I'm flexible.
Who has number six?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You're nine, I'm six. I love you, buddy, but that's OK.
Senator, thanks for being here today. I appreciate that.
I've reviewed 3,200 the best I could. To me it is obviously written with the assumption that government has the right to control our lives from pre-birth to death. For that reason, it's not worth considering, it's not worth modifying, it's not worth amending. It needs to be dumped.
(APPLAUSE)
I believe that polls show that most people are happy with their health care. There's a few problems. The illegals. They shouldn't even be here.
(APPLAUSE)
I would ask Congress to do something to send them home, so we don't have to deal with that. There are people who don't want to pay for coverage, then let them pay for the service when they get the service. We shouldn't have to provide for that. There are some people who are both evidently, they would like to have care, they're unable.
President Bush use to say help those who can't help themselves. Let's focus on those minor problems. Let's focus on tort reform. Let's focus on helping people carry their coverage over to a new job, but leave us alone. That's all we would ask. Would you leave us alone?
(APPLAUSE)
SPECTER: Well, I -- what I commit to working on those problems and not throwing everything into turmoil, that's a pretty generalized statement that I can agree with. I'll stay in touch. I'll be back next year. And If I'm re-elected, I'll be back a year after that.
Who has -- who has number seven?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you for coming, Arlen Specter. I appreciate it.
SPECTER: Well, I'll answer more fully. I don't want to see turmoil, you don't want to see turmoil. We want to have a sensible answer. We have a series of problems, and we want to take them up one by one, and we want to figure out what the problem is and what is the way that we should deal with them in a democracy.
Not familiar with number 34. Let me move on to number seven.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you. I am a Republican, but I'm first and foremost, I'm a conservative. I don't believe this is just about health care. It's not about TARP, it's not about left and right. This is about the systematic dismantling of this country.
I'm only 35 years old. I have never been interested in politics. You have awakened sleeping giants. We are tired of this. This is why everybody in this room is so ticked off. I don't want this country turning into Russia, turning into a socialized country.
(APPLAUSE)
My question for you is, what are you going to do to restore this country back to what our founders created, according to the Constitution?
(APPLAUSE)
SPECTER: Well, there are a few people who didn't stand up and applaud, but not too many. I get a fairly firm message from the support you have, young lady. When you ask me to defend the Constitution, that's what I've been doing.
We've had warrant less wiretaps that I have objected to. We've had signing statements that undercut what the legislature has passed. We've had Supreme Court nominees whom I have insisted follow the Constitution and not make law. But in our, in our, in our social, in our social compact, we have provision to see to it that we take care of people who need some help. And we have many people who are in need of assistance on health care. I have a number of people with me today who have very tragic stories to tell about their own situation, but we want to maintain constitutional law, and I am committed to do that.
Next number is number eight.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Eight?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Nine, number nine.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Can I hold it?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. Thank you for coming, Senator. I appreciate you're showing courage coming to visit the people who have sent you to Washington -- the Republicans.
(APPLAUSE)
I would like to ask you a question.
Could I -- could I see a show of hands in the room that's sharing our views with our elected officials? I just want to see a show of hands from the people in this room.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Do you have a question for the senator?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, I do. Yes.
SPECTER: Give him the mic.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Just a minute.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Give him the mic!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you, Senator. Can I see a show of hands in the people in this room believe we have the right to share our views with our elected officials. OK, take that to Nancy Pelosi.
I would like to state that I'm not -- I am in opposition of this health care. The government hasn't done anything right. One of our Pennsylvanians last week asked you the question with the results from Social Security bankrupt, Medicare bankrupt, Medicaid bankrupt. You're taking our kids' future and -- post office -- and taking our kids future and driving it right into the toilet. We cannot afford this. Period. Keep the government out of it. We're doing just fine. Thank you, sir.
(APPLAUSE)
SPECTER: Well, I have made a commitment here today, earlier, that I will not vote for a plan that adds to the deficit.
Next question, number ten.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I want to tell you, Senator, that I have spent two weeks on my own trying to read that bill, and trying to understand it. It's like a Russian novel. And yet, in the bill itself, it says many times, the requirement for plain language and I can site you the pages and the line numbers because I add it up on the computer. It's very difficult to understand. Very difficult. This is the most important bill in my lifetime, and my granddaughter will pay for this bill. In its present form, whatever form that is, in terms of HR-3200.
I have three very important concerns that I think are shared. One is, Obama talks about $600 billion. The Congressional Budget Office talks about $1.1 trillion. I have spent 40 years in government, and I've never seen a program come in at the right price and stay at that price.
(APPLAUSE)
Secondly, although that bill says nothing about abortion or reproductive rights, I have read that very carefully. There are nine amendments in the Senate and the House which have attempted to prevent taxpayer funding in that bill.
Rejected Senator Coburn, Senator Hatch, Senator McCloskey and Representatives Spitz and Gingrich. They've all been rejected. You know what the bill does say? And I can cite the page and the number.
There will be no health care until you are born. While that baby is in the mother, we don't count that as a person. I can cite the page and the number. Medicaid and CHIP will only cover, quote, "at the time of birth", close quote.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (INAUDIBLE)
SPECTER: Go ahead, sir -- go ahead, you got the microphone.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: These, by the way, these are not talking points, these are my own, all right? And I just have one other thing. I have spent 35 years in Information Technology. I read this bill very closely. You are about to concentrate more information about more Pennsylvanians and Americans in this bill in one place in the computers of Washington that has ever occurred.
In fact, the CBO, the Congressional Budget Office says it gives you the right to enter using our internal revenue service, and page 58 talks about entering our own accounts, our own because financial responsibility has to be ascertained.
My final comment is this. Massachusetts has tried something like this. Tennessee has tried something like this. Why don't we take a look at what has worked and what has failed there, and maybe started in a blue state, give it all we've got in one state, but don't concentrate all this power in the bureaucrats and their computers in Washington.
You'll be gone. By God, the bureaucrats will still be there. We don't know their names, we don't know their faces, but they'll be making our decisions for us and for my children.
SPECTER: Well, let me...
(APPLAUSE)
When you raise the question as to cost, I can only repeat the commitment not to add to the deficit. When you talk about abortion, the law and the law in the United States, it's the height amendment that public money cannot be used for abortions.
(INAUDIBLE)
QUESTION: ... against the Democrats for non-taxpayer abortion. The conscience problem, as well.
SPECTER: Well, I heard you. Let me respond to your points. The Senate bill has not yet been written. I do not believe there will be any change in the Hyde amendment. This lady asked a question about whether people will have to pay in a health plan for somebody else's abortion and the answer is no for the reasons I gave her. When you talk about, about Massachusetts, we're studying their plan very closely. With respect to privacy, we'll do everything we can to stop people from breaking into the files. Number 11. Number 11. Number 11.
QUESTION: Good morning, Senator.
SPECTER: Good morning.
JOE: My name is Joe. I'm a public schoolteacher. I am looking at the "Sunday Patriot News," Sunday, August 2, front page. Reading the bills requires expertise. One of my roles as a teacher and an educator is to teach my children how to think, how to read, and how to understand. And over 100 years ago we had a gentleman who was a Republican at Gettysburg say we will provide the understanding government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.
The "Harrisburg Patriot" editor says, they cite this HR-32 which in my opinion is a complete hocus-pocus, mumbo jumbo, here is an article, section 1834, A7aii, as we say in Pennsylvania Dutch land - the Social Security act, and it goes on, Senator, since this Laurel and Hardy team has been in Washington, there hasn't been a thing written in the House, in the Senate that we as average Pennsylvanians, average Americans can read and understand without having a team of 10 like you claim you have to read and understand and interpret what has done. The last bill, cap-and-trade, had pencil marks in editing.
Senator, if you wish to be remembered in the Congress by the American people, when you get back there, sponsor legislation that requires every House and Senate bill to be written in a junior high school level. That's what we need in America today. SPECTER: I'll try. Number 12.
QUESTION: Yes, good morning. And welcome to Lebanon, PA. I have a simple yes or no question for you today. Will you ever vote for a bill that gives non-U.S. citizens access to a taxpayer paid free health insurance? Or care service?
SPECTER: I will not support a bill which gives health coverage to illegal immigrants. Number 13. Who has 13?
QUESTION: OK. Good morning. President Obama and you have constantly stated that we'll be allowed to keep our current plans. But how can we keep them if they don't exist? More specifically, HR- 3200. Why does this bill impose a payroll tax on employers who won't use the public option? More specifically, how many Americans work for these employers with payrolls that exceed $251,000 and what will happen to them when the employers drop their current coverage because they can't afford a two percent to eight percent pay roll penalty tax?
SPECTER: The tax is going to be directed only to the companies which do not have health coverage. Not going to add a tax to companies which have health care. So that, so that, so that as represented, if you like your current plan, you can maintain it.
(INAUDIBLE)
SPECTER: Well, let me say to you that I will not support a Senate bill which has that kind of a requirement. Who's got the next question? Number 14.
QUESTION: Number 14, 14, 15? Fourteen back there.
MARILYN BOGART: Hi. My name is Marilyn Bogart, and I am from Lebanon, and thank you so much for coming. I appreciate it. I also have been working in health care for the last 30 years. A nurse, went to school in Philadelphia and my husband works in health care, as well. When I graduated from nursing school I remembered dealing a lot, with a lot of the issues that we're still dealing with.
Our country does not have wonderful preventative health care measures and those, therefore, lead to chronic diseases and just utilization of money in the wrong way. So, I'm here to say you're dealing with health care reform. I think it's something that our country needs, I realized that a lot of people here don't feel that way. But there's also a lot of us who do feel that way. And I think...
SPECTER: We're struggling with the microphone here. I feel like I'm all wired up. Thank you for your positive comment. I knew that if I looked hard enough, far enough in this large group, I'd find someone who likes the health care plan. Thank you.
Who has got the next number?
QUESTION: Fifteen? QUESTION: Good morning, Senator. I'd just like to tell you that I'm here on my own accord, nobody paid me, OK. I'm not part of the Astroturf group. OK.
SPECTER: Thank you.
QUESTION: It's called grassroots. My question for you today is, I agree with the woman over here that has indicated there has to be some work done to our health care. Unfortunately, this it is not this bill. It is not this bill. This bill...
SPECTER: What would you like to see done?
QUESTION: Some of the things I would like to see done, OK, are tort reform. Yes, thank you very much. I lost my train of thought. OK. Some of the things that are in our current bill that I don't necessarily like and you have addressed already. One of them was non- U.S. citizens health care. You have indicated that you will not vote for a bill that has non-U.S. health provisions within it. OK. I do recommend, though, that we do what the state of New York does for the homeless. Is we can take the non-U.S. citizens and give them an airplane ticket and ship them back.
In addition to the bill, there's also you had indicated that we will always be able to go back to our original health care. My health care is not too much different than yours, senator, as it stands today. I can hire and fire my doctor if I so please. I can go and find another doctor if I want to. OK. Unfortunately, there is page after page of this bill that appears to go to a single payer system. OK. There is the if factor. And we're not scared here, senator. We aren't. What we want is trust. And, apparently, in Washington, D.C., there is no trust. The American people do not like what's going on. Senator, in your twilight of career, OK, you're in your twilight...
SPECTER: Absolutely not. Go ahead.
QUESTION: But one of the things, one of the things that you could do that would make it extremely memorable for yourself is to go back and propose a bill for term limits.
SPECTER: Listen, the people of Pennsylvania can impose term limits on me any time they want to. That said, that's democracy. Who's got the next number? Next number is 16. You're up.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I have a question on page 58 and 59 of this bill. Which gives the government access to private individual bank accounts at their free will. Now, we're retirement age and we worked long and hard for what we have and, sir, if I want to spread my wealth around, it will be to my children, grandchildren, to my community, to my church of my choosing. I do not think the government has the right to do that. I would think I would have to brush up on my constitution, but I would think that's unconstitutional. I know definitely it's un-American. So you look at that. When you go back, and, sir, I really think you need to vote like an American and I think you need to vote no on this bill. SPECTER: I will not - I will not, I will not support a bill which gives the government the right to get the bank account information of a private citizen. Well, the lady, the lady has cited a House bill to repeat, we haven't gotten a Senate bill, but I'm telling you that I will not support any bill which gives the government the right to find out what any citizen has in his or her bank account. Who's got the next number?
Who's got number 17?
Yes, sir.
QUESTION: Good morning, Senator Specter.
SPECTER: Good morning.
QUESTION: I was a Republican committeeperson in my locality when you were elected, and we supported you. But now you defected. And I can't understand why you didn't come to the people before you switched over to Democrats. But that's not my problem. The lady here was asking about the government's right to go into the bank account. The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures shall not be violated and new warrants issued, et cetera. There's so many problems with this Obama government.
QUESTION: Amen.
QUESTION: When I was elected to public office, I agreed to support and defend the constitution. And I've always tried to do that. I'm an American. My family came over here 300 years ago. They came for liberty and freedom and now our liberties and freedoms are eroding constantly. I'm just wondering what you can do about that. I mean, I have so many questions. I don't know about the automobile takeover and T.A.R.P. and just on and on, but what about this Guantanamo closure? I don't want these criminals to come over here into our area and then escape and we find that a bunch of innocent people have been murdered. And that's what's going to happen. Did you ever read the Koran?
COLLINS: All right. Very quickly now. Question number 17 which tells me that it's about halfway through or so. We understand that there are 30 questions that are going to be asked of Senator Arlen Specter there in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. This town hall meeting regarding health care. We are going to take a very quick break and we're back in just a moment right here in the CNN NEWSROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: All right. Very quickly. We want to let you know what we're watching here. And boy as the fireworks are exploding in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, this morning. Live pictures for you at that town hall meeting with Senator Arlen Specter regarding health care reform continues this morning. He is actually walking around the room with a microphone, sometimes giving it to the attendees to ask their questions. Thirty questions will be asked and people are standing up and addressing the senator. In fact, there are so many people there, just huge crowds. You can't see many of them because they're outside of this room that we are showing you. And one of the attendees had a big problem with that and with the process of this because he was told he would be able to address the senator. Listen for just a moment. Take a listen.
SPECTER: ... at it and - you want to be led out of here? You're welcome to go. Now, wait a minute. Now, wait a minute. Wait a minute.
QUESTION: I have every right...
SPECTER: Wait a minute. He has a right to leave. He's right. He, wait a minute, wait a minute. Wait a minute! Wait a minute! You want to leave? Leave.
QUESTION: I am going to speak my mind before I leave because your people told me I could. I called your office and I was told I could have the mic to speak and then when I was lied to because I came prepared to speak and, instead, you wouldn't let anybody speak. You handed out, what? 30 cards? Well, I got news for you that you and your cronies and the government do this kind of stuff all the time.
Well, I don't care. I don't care how damn crooked you are, I'm not a lobbyist with all kinds of money just stuffing your pocket so that you can cheat the citizens of this country. So, I'll leave and you can do whatever the hell you need to please to do. One day god's going to stand before you and he's going to judge you and the rest of your damn cronies up on the Hill. And then you will get your just desert. I'm leaving.
