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President's Health Care Push; Hunger Strike for Iran; 'Black in America 2'; Pelosi Advocates for Health Care Reform Bill
Aired July 22, 2009 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, everyone. Sorry, I got a little jumpy there.
Health care reform, it is the political issue playing out in Washington right now, and there are new developments unfolding this hour in the push and pushback, the give and take, the tug-of-war over reform. What happens with the health care debate determines the future of your medical care, so you need to be plugged in. And we are focusing on the issues, the players and the process.
On Capitol Hill, House lawmakers from both parties are speaking out this hour, and members of a Senate panel get back to work trying to hammer out a bipartisan agreement.
Senior congressional correspondent Dana Bash is tracking that. She'll be joining us shortly. And White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux is at her post.
The president preparing to take his push for health care reform to prime time.
And there is Dana.
Let's start with Suzanne Malveaux.
The president not only dealing with a pushback from Republicans, but grumbling from Democrats. They say they need more direction on health care reform, the entire overhaul package.
So, Suzanne, why is the president -- let's tee it up, it's happening this evening -- holding this news conference tonight?
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Tony, I just got off the phone with a senior administration official who kind of laid out the story, the backstory of what is happening here. Obviously, what they were hoping for, what the president was hoping for, was some sort of good news announcement that he could deliver to the American people, some progress.
We are going to hear from the president talking about kind of the optimistic picture, if you will, that they are working through some of their differences, kind of in a broad-brush stroke. We're also told that these remarks, about seven minutes in length, that will cover not only health care, but kind of being more like a report card, if you will, the first six months of his presidency, what he has accomplished, what he has yet to set out to do. One of the things that we're seeing, a senior administration official tells us, the president is going to get more involved in his health care debate in a more direct way. It was just yesterday that he sat down with a group of Blue Dog Democrats, conservative Democrats, to try to at least listen to their demands, about 10 demands, concerns that they have about the health care reform plan.
And a senior administration official saying there are essentially three different groups that they are worried about -- those Democrats who are concerned about costs, those who are from high-income districts. So, when they listen to the proposals about taxes for wealthy Americans and them having the burden, if you will, of paying for this health care reform. And finally, those who are against abortion rights. That they don't want federal funds going to any kind of procedures that they are against.
These are the three groups that the president and administration officials very closely listening to. There will be a lot more of that, Tony, a public relations campaign tonight, but also some subtle arm-twisting going on behind the scenes, as well.
HARRIS: Yes. All right. Good stuff.
Suzanne Malveaux at the White House for us.
Suzanne, thank you.
A bipartisan group of senators behind closed doors searching for common ground on health care reform.
Senior congressional correspondent Dana Bash joining us live with the latest on those talks.
And Dana, when we spoke with you yesterday, this committee was hard at work, a meeting working, pounding away, trying to come up with some kind of compromise.
Where are we today in that process?
DANA BASH, CNN SENIOR CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: I think maybe it's a little bit of Groundhog Day, Tony, because they're still doing the same thing. But I think it's important to note that what you see behind me, the office of Senator Max Baucus -- he is the Democratic finance chairman -- it's effectively a political bomb shelter, because there are about a half a dozen senators in there, Republicans and Democrats, who all say that they really feel shielded from the torpedoes being lobbed from Democrats towards Republicans, Republicans towards Democrats, over all of this rhetoric on what the best way to approach health care reform is, because they are actually -- they have their sleeves rolled up and they are actually working on every single detail. And they still do insist that they will come up with some kind of bipartisan compromise.
Unclear when that will happen. They really bristle at the sense that they need to get it done by any certain timetable. Republicans and Democrats bristle on that. But they are still working very hard in a bipartisan way, and that is going to continue all day long today and probably through the end of the week.
HARRIS: OK. And maybe you're getting at some elements of this next question here. You've been reporting that the president is being criticized by members of his own party, really for not providing -- I guess the criticism goes this way -- for not providing real specifics on what he wants in the reform legislation. And drill down on that a bit more for us, if you will.
BASH: Right. Yes, here's what I'm hearing more and more from senior Democratic sources, and even one Democratic senator that I spoke to at length, and that is that they certainly appreciate the sense that the president, I think, for 10 days in a row has gone out and ratcheted up the rhetoric, ratcheted up the pressure when it comes to his top priority, health care. But what they say they are looking for as things really are problematic here among the president's own party are details.
What one Democratic source said is that they're looking for the president to weigh in and actually make decisions on outstanding issues, specifically the most vexing issue, Tony, which is how to pay for this reform. Instead of just saying, this is on the table, that is on the table, they want many, many Democrats, more and more want the president to be specific on, actually, how do you want to pay for it?
HARRIS: Well, Dana, can I -- right. Can I jump in on that? Because this is a strategy point here.
The White House has clearly decided that, look, we want Congress to work out the details, harkening back to the Clintons' attempt at health care reform where there was a set plan, here's what we want to do. And that was scuttled.
BASH: Absolutely. And there's no question that was a strategy, and that has been the strategy that pretty much everybody agreed to, that that was the best approach, because it basically let Democrats do their job here in Congress, which is to actually craft legislation. You know, that's quite a concept. However, the sort of long-term strategy was to let them do their thing and pass a bill in the Senate, pass a bill in the House, and then the president will weigh in when they have to make a compromise.
Well, the dynamics have changed because of a divide within the president's own party. So, that's why since the dynamics have changed, you are hearing more and more Democrats saying, we need your help, Mr. President. This is your top priority. We need you to weigh in on those specifics sooner rather than later.
HARRIS: Yes. Yes. Wow.
OK. Senior congressional correspondent Dana Bash for us.
Dana, appreciate it. Thank you.
BASH: Thank you.
HARRIS: Talk to you a little bit later.
And much more to come today on health care reform. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi holds a news conference at the bottom of the hour on the cost of health care.
At 11:45 Eastern, we will hear from Republican lawmakers in a sort of preemptive strike against the president's message tonight.
12:10 Eastern, a fact check from our senior medical correspondent Elizabeth Cohen. Will you really be better off under health care reform?
We will also hear from the White House communication director about the president's prime-time news conference.
A lot going on. A lot going on. Even more.
And experts give us their 90-second prescription for fixing health care.
One other note. Looking ahead to next hour -- and we love the senator, he is a great friend of the show, very smart. Republican Senator Tom Coburn joins us for a live interview. You will hear his position on health care reform. You won't want to miss that, I promise you.
And we want to hear from you, of course.
Josh Levs joins us to explain how you can get in on the conversation -- Josh.
JOSH LEVS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: We really like to hear from people talking about this issue, talking about health care, because so many people have so many personal stories about the way that it's hit them. And the way to do it is on the screen right behind me, CNN.com/Tony.
In fact, let's show that picture, Tony, there, because we'll show everybody how you can weigh in on that question.
What are you willing to give up? Obviously, something has got to give if this massive bill in some form is ultimately going to pass.
HARRIS: Can I stop you for a second?
LEVS: Yes.
HARRIS: We posed this question yesterday with the help of our senior medical correspondent, Elizabeth Cohen...
LEVS: Oh, overwhelming.
HARRIS: ... who drilled down on this and said, look, this is the critical question: How much are you willing to give up? What are you willing to sacrifice?
LEVS: Yes. And we've had hundreds of responses. In fact, check this out. I mean, I can open up the screen right here. And as I zoom down, it's all responses that continue to come in overnight. We just keep getting more and more and more and more and more. You can see what we've got over here.
I mean, I was just piecing through a handful of them. And we're going to be sharing some of the most striking ones with you throughout this hour and next hour.
But I do want to show them the graphics so they can see where to weigh in.
You've got Tony's page right here. Take a look at it, CNN.com/Tony. There you go. Don't want everyone to miss that.
And we're also doing Facebook and Twitter. Let's show everyone that screen so you know where to weigh in. Those are my pages, Facebook/JoshLevsCNN or Twitter/JoshLevsCNN.
So, Tony, not only do we have hundreds coming in on the blog, but we've got more in every which way -- Facebook, Twitter. And this is really a conversation, a debate. People are listening to each other and exchanges ideas. That's how we like it.
HARRIS: Issues. Issues. The noise -- you know, in these two hours that we're responsible for, we're not interested in the noise.
LEVS: No. Conversation.
HARRIS: All right, Josh. Appreciate it. Thank you.
LEVS: Thanks.
HARRIS: Health care is on the agenda all day today and tonight with the presidential news conference. So here we go.
Be sure to join CNN at 7:00 Eastern for "Moment of Truth: Countdown to Black in America 2." That is followed by live coverage of President Obama's news conference. It is set for 8:00 Eastern, 5:00 Pacific. Then immediately after the president, don't miss "Black in America 2." The first part of this two-night event begins at 9:00 Eastern, 6:00 Pacific, all right here on CNN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(WEATHER REPORT)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: Outside the United Nations building right now, a group has gathered to start a hunger strike.
CNN's Reza Sayah live outside the U.N.
And Reza, my understanding is this is a hunger strike to protest the alleged repression in Iran? REZA SAYAH, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes. This is a hunger strike in support of the opposition movement in Iran. And what these people are also doing is calling for the release of the hundreds of detainees who were taken in after the controversial elections on June 12th in Iran.
But the crowd in front of the U.N. is growing. Rain is in the forecast during this three-day hunger strike, so the tent is up.
There you see the sign-in table with guests arriving and putting their name. About 60 people, an estimated 60 people, will take part in this hunger strike, and they're celebrities. You may not know them, but if you're Iranian or if you're from Iranian descent (AUDIO GAP) some of them.
They're actors, filmmakers, musicians, artists, professors, members of the academic society. And among them is Professor Hamid Dabashi.
HAMID DABASHI, PROFESSOR: You are a historian, written a lot about Iran. Talk about what's happening right now. Do you think the supreme leader paying attention to what is happening right now on this street corner in New York City?
Well, I'm absolutely convinced that this hit the news in Iran, globally. He is getting the message. The message is being conveyed to him directly by Iranians themselves.
Even yesterday, against all odds and against all indications that there will be crackdowns, people pulled into the streets and demonstrated. This demonstration is not going to just go away. So he is getting the message from two ways, both from the people from the ground up and from his own rank and file.
SAYAH: Mr. Dabashi, I appreciate your time.
These are the people that they're calling to be released. These are the individuals, some of the hundreds in prison, political prisoners taken in by the Iranian leadership after the vote. This is being held in front of the U.N. because this group wants to apply pressure on the U.N., apply pressure to the Obama administration to help get these individuals freed -- Tony.
HARRIS: OK. Our Reza Sayah for us in New York City, out in front of the United Nations building.
Reza, good to see you. Thank you.
The U.S. government may be at risk of a cyberattack. That's according to a study out this morning by the Partnership for Public Service. The reason, it says, a staffing problem. After looking at 18 federal agencies, the group found the lack of Internet security experts, training, and overall leadership to fight off Internet attacks.
And tonight, the premiere of CNN's "Black in America 2." Soledad O'Brien hosting the program, as we expect.
Great see you, Soledad.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Tony. Always nice to see you.
HARRIS: Boy, I don't get to see you enough on television, but you're crisscrossing the country doing this fabulous work.
What can we expect tonight?
O'BRIEN: You know, the goal of the second documentary -- this is part 2 -- was to take a look at success and sort of analyze success in the black community. What is working?
We set up a lot of the challenges and problems last time around. This time around, who is really making a difference kind of moving the ball down the field as far as education, providing opportunities and business advancement? You know, everything.
So, we tell the story of a guy named Dr. Steve Perry. He is the principal and the founder of Capital Prepatory Magnet School, and he sends 100 percent of his graduates on to four-year colleges. One hundred percent. Those are his numbers.
One of his students is a young woman named Glorious Menefee, who went from thinking about dropping to being a huge success.
Take a look at her story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
STEVE PERRY, PRINCIPAL AND FOUNDER, CAPITAL PREPARATORY MAGNET SCHOOL: Good morning. Good morning. Good morning.
Good morning. Good morning.
Where's your coat, man? You're a tough guy.
Good morning.
O'BRIEN (voice-over): Every morning at 7:30 a.m. you can find Steve Perry here.
PERRY; How's everything?
O'BRIEN: He's principal of Capital Preparatory Magnet School in Hartford, Connecticut.
PERRY: What's up, chief?
O'BRIEN: Each and every day, he and the Vice Principal Rich Beganski greet each and every student as they walk through Capital's doors.
PERRY: How are you today? O'BRIEN: For Perry, being a principal is all about the details.
PERRY: Whose grade is this? That's not ours. OK.
Mr. Carter (ph), you've got to be kidding me. That's the fastest you can move, son?
O'BRIEN: From uniform inspections...
PERRY: Where's your blazer, son?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I have it.
PERRY: OK. Having it is not enough, right? Put it on.
O'BRIEN: ... to morning meetings...
PERRY: I know there are quite a few who have not done curriculum mapping.
O'BRIEN: ... he does it all.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No I don't.
PERRY: Then keep your mouth shut.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I didn't do anything.
PERRY: Just keep it shut.
I wake up at 4:45 in the morning, and I drive kids to school.
O'BRIEN (on camera): You take kids to school?
PERRY: I do.
O'BRIEN: In your car?
PERRY: I have to.
O'BRIEN: You pick them up?
PERRY: Every day.
O'BRIEN: Why? You're the principal.
PERRY: I know. I'm the bus driver in the morning, though. You do what you've got to do to get it done.
Come on, Jordan, get to where you need to be.
O'BRIEN (voice-over): And getting it done is priority number one for Perry and his staff.
PERRY: We have a school that is designed to send children to college. If we don't send children to college, we're not doing our job.
O'BRIEN (on camera): So, how many of your kids go to college?
PERRY: Well, 100 percent of our graduates go on to college.
O'BRIEN: One hundred percent?
PERRY: One hundred percent.
O'BRIEN: Every child who graduates?
PERRY: Every child who graduates from Capital Prep goes on to a four-year college, period.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Come on, sweetie. After you finish it's all set for you.
O'BRIEN (voice-over): Children like 18-year-old Glorious Menefee.
GLORIOUS MENEFEE, CAPITAL PREP STUDENT: My blazer is in my locker.
I honestly believe if I hadn't gone to Capital Prep, I think I wouldn't have finished high school.
O'BRIEN: In spite of a tough childhood...
MENEFEE: Love you, mom.
O'BRIEN: ... she's smart, hard working, a natural leader.
And she's thrived, she says, because she's surrounded by other motivated students.
MENEFEE: Oh, OK. I know how to do this.
Everyone has a certain goal, and that goal is to go to college. So when you kind of hear it, it's like -- it spreads like wildfire. It's like, "I'm going to college." "No, I'm going to college." "I'm going to college."
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And if you disagree, raise your hand. That's fine.
O'BRIEN: How does Capital send all of its graduates on to college?
PERRY: What we do right is we designed a school that's year round. There's no reason why children should be home during the summer.
What we do right is we have a longer school day. What we do right is we go to school on Saturdays. What we do right is work hard to get children to a place where they need to be.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
O'BRIEN: What he does right in addition to all of that is he raises expectations when those students come in as sixth graders. He makes sure, Tony, that they know, do not come here if you're not going to go to college. People who come here are going to college. So, if you don't plan to go to college, then you do not need to be in my school, because at this school we send people to college.
And the second thing he does, the school is on the campus of a community college. So, when kids are unsure if they're college material, well, guess what? They've been taking college classes since 11th grade. These kids know their college material.
HARRIS: That is so awesome.
Soledad, help me here work through the schedule tonight.
So, we get started at 7:00 Eastern tonight, right? "Moment of Truth." Correct?
O'BRIEN: Yes, "Moment of Truth." You know, Henry Louis Gates is going to be our guest tonight. Obviously, ,he is the Harvard professor who was arrested in his home a couple of weeks ago, and he is going to talk to us for the first time on TV about what happened, his experience, and what he's planning to do next. That's at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Then at 8:00 p.m., President Obama is holding a news conference, so we'll break away for that, take that.
And then at 9:00 p.m., "Black in America 2" will air.
HARRIS: Awesome. Viewing parties being set up right now all over the country, and for me that means finding where T.J. Holmes is and going to his house for his viewing party.
O'BRIEN: Can I come?
HARRIS: But we will be watching -- yes, absolutely. We'll be watching tonight.
Soledad, great to see you.
O'BRIEN: Always.
HARRIS: Can't wait to see it starting tonight.
Need a job? Yes. What if you're over 50? Tips on what you should do straight ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN LEGEND, MUSICIAN: I'm John Legend. Don't miss "BLACK IN AMERICA 2" on CNN. (END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: Oh, no. We all know that finding a job in this economy is tough, and the older you are, the tougher it is. So, what can you do if you're 50-plus and pounding the pavement?
Personal finance editor Gerri Willis joining us now from New York.
Gerri, good to see you.
GERRI WILLIS, CNN PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR: Hi, Tony.
HARRIS: Good to see you, Gerri.
Where can I find out who's hiring these so-called mature, smart, battle-tested workers?
WILLIS: That's right. Well, you know, the good news here is that the Web can really, really help you. And you may be overwhelmed by the number of Web sites that you're going to see there, but some great places to go to get started -- retirementjobs.com, yourencore.com. This is for Scientists and engineers, retiredbrains.com.
You're going to find job listings, career databases, specifically for people in this age group, as well as tips and advice on landing the interview, developing resumes. Now, some of these are going to charge you a fee for access to their databases, but some don't.
Big career sites like Career Builder also have sites specifically for older workers. The AARP maintains a list of employers that welcomes 50-plus workers. And you can find it at their Web site, AARP.com. Scripps Health, SunTrust, a ton of them. AARP also has webinars and job fairs.
And look, don't be shy. Look, I know a lot of people don't get jobs in this category. As a matter of fact, we have new numbers out today that 28 percent of -- only 28 percent of workers in this category were able to get jobs over the last year if they were 55- plus.
But I have to tell you, we did find people out there who have gotten jobs just this week. An 84-year-old woman got a job.
HARRIS: Nice. Nice. Nice.
WILLIS: Eighty-four, got a job as a fund-raiser just this week. So, there are jobs out there. You really have got to work hard to get them.
HARRIS: Yes. Hope she's got health care.
What about some real world advice here, Gerri? I mean, look, the Internet, I get it, and I'm a little old school here. But sometimes that advice you get on the Internet just doesn't cut it. WILLIS: All right. There's real world things you can do here.
There's something called the Five O'Clock Club, which you can attend weekly meetings, get advice directly from job counselors. You pay for the privilege. The membership is 49 bucks.
If you've decided to put out your own shingle -- and a lot of people in this age category just go into business for themselves -- the Small Business Administration has more than 10,000 experienced volunteers who train and counselor small business operators. It's a program called SCORE. They also give loans to people. Go to SBA.gov and check it out, because it's a great place to go.
And remember, you're not alone. According to the AARP, one in six workers 65-plus are in the workforce. That's up from one in 10 in 1985. So, big numbers staying in the workforce, going back into the workforce.
HARRIS: How about assistance between jobs? Is that available?
WILLIS: Yes. Now, this is important, because people want to know how to get help if they can't find a job right now.
AARP, again, can help. Point your browser to aarp.org/realrelief, where you can find out whether you and your family qualify for public benefit programs that could help you pay for food, utilities, health care, medicine.
There's an easy to use screening tool. It helps you go to the right places no matter what state you live in. And at the same site, you can also get help with money management details, details on Medicare, Social Security programs. It's a really great resource for people in this category.
HARRIS: The Internet. Pretty good, huh? Pretty important, huh?
WILLIS: It sure is. It sure is.
HARRIS: Great tips, as always.
And again, we would love to give the e-mail address if anyone has any questions for you.
WILLIS: Gerri@CNN.com. Send us an e-mail, let us know how you're doing out there finding that new job, and what kind of obstacles you're encountering, and what kind of tips you can give us.
HARRIS: Terrific. Gerri, good to see you. Thank you.
WILLIS: My pleasure.
HARRIS: You know, the Fed says things are getting better, but when we will we feel it?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) HARRIS: Welcome back, everyone, to the CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Tony Harris. You know, in tough times like this, tough times like these, like this, we're all cutting back on everything from eating out to going on vacation. But, you know, there's one item that millions of people still seem to be able to afford.
I can't believe this. I looked ahead, Susan. Susan Lisovicz is at the New York Stock Exchange with a look at what it is.
Oh, hello. Good morning, Susan.
SUSAN LISOVICZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Tony, you have a 14-year-old son, as I recall...
HARRIS: I do.
LISOVICZ: ... who loves electronics.
HARRIS: Exactly.
LISOVICZ: So, you know the answer to this. And we -- your son and everybody else -- spent more than $1.5 billion on iPhones in just three months. Apple sold more than 5 million iPhones last quarter. That's more than seven times the number Apple sold a year earlier. The new iPhone was released during that quarter but was on sale for less than two weeks before the quarter ended.
Also helping out the bottom line, Macintosh computers. The high demand caused iPhone and Mac shortages. Apple says the issue should be addressed within weeks.
Obviously, it's an issue that many companies would love to have. Apple Q3 profits and sales easily beat estimates, and some analysts, Tony, say that this could continue because we've got the back-to- school season. I hate to say it, but it is approaching, and that is often good times for electronics.
Apple shares are up 4 percent, and the Dow, the Nasdaq and the S&P 500 at the moment are higher. The Nasdaq composite has been up the last 10 sessions. That is the best win streak in 12 years.
HARRIS: Don't say it. You jinx it if you say it.
LISOVICZ: Oh, I know.
HARRIS: Don't say it. Susan...
LISOVICZ: Well, Apple's helping out a lot today, though.
HARRIS: Oh, yes.
LISOVICZ: Helping out the Nasdaq a lot today.
HARRIS: Susan, appreciate it.
LISOVICZ: OK, all right, I won't say it again. HARRIS: No, no, because, yes, I'm going to get the call later. I'm going to get the call. It's going to be crazy. It's going to be crazy.
All right, Susan, appreciate it, see you next hour.
LISOVICZ: You got it.
HARRIS: OK. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke is back on Capitol Hill. He is testifying right now before the Senate Banking Committee. Bernanke told a House panel yesterday that the economy is starting to show signs of stabilization, but -- but -- he cautioned improvement is uncertain and likely to be gradual.
More blunt criticism this morning from Neil Barofsky, the man who oversees the $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program or TARP. He spoke to CNN's "AMERICAN MORNING" about the bailout.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NEIL BAROFSKY, SPECIAL INSPECTOR GENERAL, TROUBLED ASSET RELIEF PROGRAM: The original point of the TARP when it was first announced was to take $700 billion in toxic assets off the books and records of banks. That, obviously, has not happened.
One of the other goals was to increase lending. I don't think that's happened either, although I think that there might be far greater decrease in lending absent the TARP. So, it really depends on what your definition of success. If it was to avoid a systematic failure and complete collapse of the financial system, I would say the TARP along with other programs may have achieved that goal.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: Wow. All right, Barofsky said the Treasury Department needs to do more to make sure your tax dollars are not wasted. The Fed chief says things are getting better, but when will we feel it?
That's one of the issues our Christine Romans is tackling right now. Christine is filling in for CNN's chief business correspondent Ali Velshi on his weekly radio show. Christine is with us from New York.
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Tony.
HARRIS: Hey, Christine, look, I want to start with earnings, and then we'll talk about when we'll start to feel whatever it is the Fed chief says is happening here. So, some companies, not all making money again, but some are. Apple, a couple of big banks, Caterpillar, making money. More earnings out today. What do we read into that fact?
ROMANS: We are to read into that fact that some companies have been laying off workers, cutting their labor costs. They have been selling divisions. They've been selling parts of themselves to get money to raise cash to try to make money. You can't do that forever, Tony. At some point, you don't have any employees left, and you don't have any divisions left. So, what we've been looking at when we look at those earnings reports is, how much of this is defensive cost-cutting and how much is, you know, demand is increasing. And except for the iPhone and Apple and a few other places, mostly we're still seeing companies that are still pretty much on the defense, trying to find ways to make money anyway they can.
HARRIS: Yes, you know, you're hosting -- can we put the number up for the radio show for folks to call you, because I want your phones hopping.
ROMANS: Yes, it's 877-266-4189.
HARRIS: OK, 877-266-4189.
ROMANS: You got it?
HARRIS: All right, so you're doing a radio show, right?
ROMANS: But I've got a caller. His name is Tony in Atlanta. Tony in Atlanta.
HARRIS: Tony in Atlanta. Tony's got questions for you. OK, so, the economy, it may be bottoming out, and a modest recovery will begin this fall. Yes or no?
ROMANS: Doesn't matter. Because if the economy is bottoming out and there is a recovery later this fall, you're not going to feel it, and I'm not going to feel it, I don't think.
HARRIS: What do you mean? Why won't we feel it?
ROMANS: I think that unemployment is going to lag. Because we're still going to have a jobs problem. We're still going to have a housing problem. And those are the two things you feel, Tony.
You live in your house, and if the house value is still going down or if you're losing your house, and you work at your job and if you don't have your job or you're losing your job or afraid of losing your job, those are the two kind of most important things about your personal finances and your personal economy. So, I don't want to give any false hopes about those two things for the very near term.
Ben Bernanke said that elevated unemployment ends in 2011.
HARRIS: Christine, I'm sorry, I've got to get to the House speaker, Nancy Pelosi. We understand she's going to start her weekly meeting with the media talking about health care reform.
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REP. NANCY PELOSI (D-CA), SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE: And the other two committees are hard at work and doing their jobs. Today, we are going to hear real stories from real people about the impact that health care reform will have on their lives. For the American people, America's Affordable Health Choices Act will mean a cap on your cost, but no cap on your benefit. A cap on your cost, no cap on your benefit.
That represents real change. Today, we are joined by four Americans who have tried to work hard and play by the rules and have ended up with crushing health care costs and debt. Vernon LeCount (ph) of Freedom, Maine, who has tens of thousands of dollars in medical debt because of his health insurance had a waiting period and a high deductible.
Molly Secour (ph) of Nashville, Tennessee, whose medical debt from uterine cancer could result in foreclosure on her home. Catherine Howard (ph) of San Francisco, California, and Jacqueline Mikolos (ph) of Norwood, Massachusetts, who both beat cancer but had radically different experiences with their health insurance.
America's Affordable Health Choices Act takes a number of steps to ensure that when Americans face a health crisis, they also don't face a financial crisis. Consumers will have more choices so they can find plans without waiting periods and high deductibles.
There will be an annual limit on out-of-pocket expenses and no lifetime limits on care. There will be no more co-pays or deductibles for preventive care that can catch devastating illnesses in time. And if you change your job or lose your job or have a pre-existing medical condition, you cannot be denied coverage.
I'm now pleased to introduce our caucus vice chair, Xavier Becerra. Xavier serves on the subcommittee of the Ways and Means Committee that is helping lead this health insurance reform effort. He's been a very valued member of our caucus, and in leadership on this issue. Mr. Becerra.
REP. XAVIER BECERRA (D), CALIFORNIA: Thank you, Madam Speaker. For those who think that this has been an artful game of political or policy chess, hear the stories of the people that are with us today. This is the real deal. This is about finally giving people a real sense that health care will be there for them and their families.
And if anyone thinks that the stories that are being written today about where we are in this health care discussion are simply stories about Washington, D.C., then you're sorely mistaken because the real stories that this is all about are here today. In some places in America, people think they have good health insurance. In some places of America, too many Americans have found out that they don't. We intend to change that.
America's Affordable Health Choices Act means to make it possible for no one to have to worry that the health insurance they have will not be enough. Molly Secour (ph) has a story to tell you. She's a small businesswoman. She was doing very well, and then she found out she had uterine cancer. She has and had health insurance. And so, like all Americans who have health insurance, she thought she'd be OK, until her insurance company told her, you're a little too sick to be helped. And so, her catastrophic coverage didn't take care of what she needed. And, today, like many Americans throughout this country who are on the verge of losing their home, Ms. Secour (ph) had to take out money from her home so she could pay for some of her expenses. And today she's one of those many Americans who is not sure if she's going to get to keep something as important as the roof over her head.
Now, these stories go on all the time, but Molly Secour's (ph) story is no different from the story of many Americans throughout this country. And so, while we write about and read about these tales of political and policy discussion and debate, the real stories are here, and I'd like to introduce to you Molly Secour (ph).
MOLLY SECOUR (PH), CANCER PATIENT: Thank you. Good morning. Again, my name is Molly Secour, and until about two years ago, I was a fairly healthy freelance filmmaker. I prided myself on being responsible -- a responsible single self-employed person. And I did there smart thing. I went out and got a low-end health care policy with a large deductible, catastrophe insurance policy.
I told my friends that it was my bus insurance, in case I get hit by a bus. And that's pretty much how I felt. And I was pretty healthy, so that was safe. I know that might sound dramatic calling it, you know, the "in case I get hit by a bus" insurance policy, but I'm a filmmaker, and what happened to me feels more like a movie than actually my life.
Two years ago last month, I got hit by the bus. I heard those words, the three most terrifying words that you can hear in America: "You have cancer." When you hear those words, it's like stepping out of the shower into outer space. You're disoriented. None of the rules apply of life of the universe. Everything becomes surreal -- "this can't be happening, not to me, how?"
And when I finally found my tongue, and the first things out of my mouth were, I know I can't afford this. Never mind that it was Stage IV uterine cancer, and it had spread to the lymph nodes already, it was requiring an immediate radical hysterectomy, and that I was facing that I was no longer going to have the possibility of having children.
The first words were, "But I can't afford this." Never mind that there was a harrowing chemo cocktail and radiation cocktail that I was about to endure for the next six to eight months of my life that meant I would never be the same. I was consumed with the fear that I'll have to declare bankruptcy. Never mind that I was being told that the key to my recovery was to remain stress-free. Just stay stress-free. And all I could hear was, I'll probably lose my house.
And so, my health care nightmare began. The lethal cocktail of chemo required these mega anti-nausea drugs, and they were $500 a shot -- $500 a round for each chemo. I had six rounds of chemo. I had to call cousins in Canada to see if I could get it cheaper because I couldn't afford it because my insurance company wouldn't pay for the chemo drugs -- or the anti-nausea drugs. After the first five rounds of chemo, I got the first bill in the mail. It was a four-page itemized bill, and one item on the bill for the first round of chemo, the first of six, was for a shot of Neulasta, which was almost $6,000. That was one item on a four-page bill. And I about passed out knowing that just $36,000 I was going to have to look forward to receiving in the mail of bills just for that one shot.
So, some days when I got the bills in the mail, that was almost as excruciating as the harrowing chemo treatments that I went through. And there were days that I prayed that I wouldn't make it because I didn't want to face what was waiting for me on the other side, should I make it. But I survived cancer, and last fall, less than a year in remission, I had to battle with my mortgage company, who had put me into foreclosure. Even though I'd never been late, I never missed a payment during the entire time of chemo and radiation.
There was no leniency because I had cancer. I had a subprime mortgage because I'm self-employed, and if it weren't for the fact that I knew Tennessee Congressman Jim Cooper, I wouldn't have a home right now. They rallied for me. The press rallied for me. And I ended up getting to keep my house. So, I didn't lose my house. But it shouldn't take an act of Congress for someone who has cancer to keep their house.
HARRIS: OK, as you listen to this woman's story, important to remind you that just about everyone agrees that health care reform is need for this woman and others, really, in this country. The question is, what would you give up to get meaningful health care reform?
Should remind you that we are going to hear from the House minority leader in just a few moments. And Josh Levs is following your comments on our blog. Just go to CNN.com/tony. We're back with more CNN NEWSROOM in just a moment.
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HARRIS: What a rocking program this morning. Let's talk to our Josh Levs right now. Josh, I know you're following comments. Look, the question -- some might think it's loaded -- we're asking, what are you willing to give up? What are you willing to sacrifice for health care reform that is meaningful that helps people like the woman that -- the filmmaker that we just saw.
LEVS: You called it, Tony.
HARRIS: And a lot of people love their insurance -- love it -- and then they get sick, and they realize they don't quite have the insurance that they thought they had. So, the question is, what are you willing to give up for meaningful health care reform?
LEVS: Right, I mean, this one really hits people at home, because they've had to give up some stuff in a lot of cases. And you know what, let's just get straight to it. I want to get in as many as possible. We've got some quotes for you. This is the question: What are you willing to give up? The question's posted at CNN.com/tony. And we have some quotes for you here. Let's go to this first one, because we've been piecing through hundreds of them, and I want you to see some of the basics.
This is the first one right here. It says, "I am willing to give up the unnecessary and immoral wars in Iraq and Afghanistan." That's Mike's position. Next one, "I'm willing to give up the waste, red tape and policies that drive up the cost." That came to us from Chris. Keep going here.
I like this one because this refers to an actual tax that's being discussed out there: "Tax my soda, please!" From Ramona. Let's get in two more here. "I'm willing to pay more taxes, but there needs to be a limit on the number of high-tech exams doctors can perform," from Gail. And let's do one more here. "Nothing...being middle class, I've been giving up for years." That's Joyce from Las Vegas.
Now, let's go back to the screen for a second because we're having this discussion on the blog as we said. Can we zoom in? We've also got it going over here on Facebook. A lot of people posting there. This one is interesting from Kimberly, kind of similar: "I've already given up hope," Tony, "that Congress will set aside politics and posturing for the press to do real work on this issue. What else do they expect me to give up?"
But let's also remind people our Dana Bash and you, Tony, have been reporting on the number of bipartisan senators really working on trying to get some (INAUDIBLE) going.
HARRIS: We are trying to stay out of the noise zone, you know?
LEVS: That's right.
HARRIS: It's our world. It's cable television. But sometimes the noise is just deafening. Can we just drill down on the work that's being done?
LEVS: Exactly. And I'm going to end on this one, because this kind of summarizes the opposite perspective. I got this one on Twitter from melenz3. What are you willing to give up? "Whatever it takes."
HARRIS: OK.
LEVS: Let's show everybody how you can weigh in here. We've got a screen for you, CNN.com/tony, shows you where you can weigh in. Also, we've got Facebook and Twitter. In both cases, it's /joshlevsCNN. You can see that there.
But guess what? Those aren't the only ways for reaching out to people. We've also got iReports coming in. For that, we're going to turn to our Tyson Wheatley...
HARRIS: Awesome. Awesome. LEVS: ... who's culling all sorts of iReports, right? He's getting plenty. I'm going to get out of the way. He's going to show you this.
HARRIS: Awesome.
TYSON WHEATLEY, CNN.COM PRODUCER: Thanks, Josh. Hey, Tony. Of course, let me pull up what we've got going on ireport.com.
HARRIS: Yes, yes, whatever you need. Whatever you need.
WHEATLEY: You know, as Obama's urging lawmakers on Capitol Hill to deliver the health care reform bill, CNN viewers are sharing their thoughts on ireport.com, particularly, Tony, on how quickly they want this very complex issue and when it should be addressed. Now, let's take a look at what a couple of people are saying. We're going to start with Monica Troups from Jacksonville, Florida, who says reform is needed, but feels lawmakers actually need to take their time and do it right.
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MONICA TROUPS, CNN IREPORTER: We are running into this. I think that while it's great that it's on the agenda, it's great that it's calendared in, doing it right means taking your time.
And I'm willing to wait, President Obama. I'm willing to wait a little longer to have it done right. If we're going to be spending my children's money and my grandchildren's money, I want it done right. I don't want it done today. It doesn't even have to be done this year, let alone this Congress, congressional session. Right would be preferable.
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WHEATLEY: All right. And check out this response from David P. Kronmiller of Burbank, California, who tells us why exactly he feels health care reform is urgently needed.
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DAVID P. KRONMILLER, CNN IREPORTER: The reason I care about this is I'm uninsured, and I'm unemployed. And my wife is also in a similar situation. So, if something happens to either of us, it could be catastrophic. And so I care about this issue.
And, you know, I'm upset that people are saying, oh, slow down, we've waited 15, 20 years, how slower can you go? But my biggest problem with this is, I think it is a moral and ethical issue. I think it is immoral and unethical to profit off of someone's sickness or someone's poverty.
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WHEATLEY: All right. So, Tony, as the health care debate heats up, we really want to hear from iReporters, and we're inviting them to do so on ireport.com. And specifically what we're asking, you know, what do you want to have in your health care plan? Should the government mandate health coverages? Do you support a public option? And finally, who should be paying for all of this? So, great response on ireport.com. We invite our viewers to weigh in.
HARRIS: Well, that's right. I mean, the -- look, help us build it. Look, in essence, it's we're starting from scratch. Help us build, you know, the health care system moving forward.
Tyson, good stuff. Appreciate it. Thank you.
HARRIS: Take care, Tony.
Team Kyra Phillips is just back here in the newsroom, working away right now, getting ready for 1:00 p.m. Eastern time. They want to hear from you on health care reform. You can call in your thoughts. The new Kyra hotline, here's the number for you: 1-877- 742-5760. Blow up that phone line. They'll be answering your questions starting at 1:00 p.m. Eastern right here in the CNN NEWSROOM.
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