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Health Care Reform Passes; President Obama Plans to Continue Pitching Health Reform Bill; What the New Health Care Reform Means; Cornell's Public Health Crisis; Stock Sets To Sell Off; Google Vs. China; 37 Bank Failures This Year; Remembering Margaret Moth; Racism or Sarcasm?; Tiger Woods Talks

Aired March 22, 2010 - 09:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Hi, guys. Good morning. We start the hour with the good, the bad and the downright nasty. Our historic health care vote was full of drama, folks.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. NANCY PELOSI (D-CA), SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE: The bill is passed.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Crossing the finish line, Democratic -- Democrats ecstatic. Republicans, not so much. As the long road of reform comes to an end. But that road was filled with ugly potholes. The N word shouted at African-American lawmakers, gay-bashing another congressman. And then this shocking outburst right on the floor of the House.

Listen carefully.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Baby killer.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Did you hear it? "Baby killer." Targeting Bart Stupak, the anti-abortion Democrat who voted for the bill.

So what happens now with health care? The House bill goes to the White House.

Our Dan Lothian is there. Brianna Keilar has got unfinished business on Capitol Hill. And Elizabeth Cohen looking at how your care could be affected.

It's the most sweeping health care overhaul in decades. And it passed, 219-212. Every Republican voted against it along with 34 Democrats. The bill now goes to the Senate where Democrats hope to approve it without any changes as early as tomorrow.

But Republicans planned parliamentary objections. And that could change the bill and send it back to the House. President Obama is hoping to sign it into law early this week.

So is this overhaul a lifeline for agonized Americans or is this another example of big government trampling your freedom of choice?

The divisions are deep and bitter.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PELOSI: We believe that this act that was passed tonight is an all-American act.

REP. JOHN BOEHNER (R), MINORITY LEADER: We have failed to listen to America. And we have failed to reflect the will of our constituents.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Let's get straight to congressional correspondent Brianna Keilar.

So, Brianna, tell us about this last-minute abortion deal and all the last-minute pitches that we all watched last night that preceded it.

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: This came just hours before the vote yesterday, Kyra. As you know, there were some anti-abortion Democrats who weren't on board. They thought the language in this bill wasn't strong enough to make sure that federal money was not going to -- not go to pay for abortions.

So when you do the math, 219-212, and you realize that there were several of these anti-abortion Democrats, that tells you that their votes were essential to moving this over the finish line.

So the last-minute compromise wasn't changing the bill. We heard from Speaker Pelosi that wasn't going to happen. But it was an agreement that President Obama after this health care reform package is signed into law would issue an executive order really pushing the current law that governs federal funds whether they pay for abortions or not -- currently in this case, they don't pay for abortions unless it's rape, incest or a mother's life is in danger.

So he's going to be putting forth an executive order that will reaffirm really -- really just the law as it exists now and making sure that it doesn't change at all under this health plan.

PHILLIPS: A subject that, of course, a lot of people have been debating for many, many months but there's a moment that people are talking about a lot this morning. And that was someone shouting "baby killer" at Stupak. Let's take a listen to this very carefully.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Baby killer.

(END VIDEO CLIP) PHILLIPS: So is anyone taking responsibility for it, Brianna?

KEILAR: No, we don't know who this is. It came from a Republican lawmaker. And you know, right there, Kyra, it's hard to hear. I know it's hard for you to hear but for those of us who were there in that room watching from the press gallery, it was very loud and it was very distinct.

But you could -- you looked over and you could see a few Republicans reacting to it but you couldn't tell where it had come from. It was very much this Joe Wilson "you lie" kind of moment was the sense that all of us in the press corps got.

And it was such a dramatic moment. Because let me just tell you what was happening on the floor at that point. Congressman Stupak was actually at the microphone and he was urging a vote against a Republican alternative.

This was the Republican's chance to say, hey, here is something difficult for you to vote on. Well, guess what they put up? They put up the very language that Stupak himself had written earlier in the fall to tighten up the abortion language.

You can imagine what a difficult vote this was for Democrats like Congressman Stupak. He actually got up and said you have to vote against this because they are politicizing life, not prioritizing life.

Those were his words. And it was at this moment that a Republican lawmaker yelled this out at him.

Again, Kyra, we don't know who it is but we have talked with some Republican lawmakers who have said they do know who it is but they aren't saying at this point. Obviously, you know, we're waiting to see if we can figure it out today or if that person is going to come forward.

PHILLIPS: We'll see if they've got the guts. Brianna Keilar, appreciate it.

Now CNN's Dan Lothian is at the White House.

Dan, obviously, a historic night for the president. It definitely wasn't easy as we know. It went on for a number of hours. Let's talk about that and what's next.

DAN LOTHIAN, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, you're right. And you know you just talked about with Brianna what was going on in terms of getting this executive order together. And that's what the president and his top advisers were very busy doing yesterday here at the White House, working on the language.

And this was something they really needed to do to sort of get this over the top. And even leading up yesterday the president, according to White House spokesman, Robert Gibbs, was involved in some 90 phone calls and meetings with House Democrats to get health care reform across the finish line.

After the big vote last night, you saw the president celebrating with his top advisers. The White House releasing a photo showing the president and the vice president applauding. Also you see White House chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, giving someone a hug.

So a real celebratory tone here at the White House. But for Republicans, no celebration at all. They see this as a failure to the American people. Mr. Obama, on the other hand, says that the American people have had a victory.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: At a time when the pundits said it was no longer possible, we rose above the weight of our politics. We pushed back on the undue influence of special interests. We didn't give in to mistrust or to cynicism or to fear.

Instead, we proved that we are still a people capable of doing big things and tackling our biggest challenges. We proved that this government, the government of the people and by the people, still works for the people.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LOTHIAN: So what happens next now according to Democratic sources? The president will be hitting the road going across America really selling the value of this health care reform and according to Democratic sources, we expect the president to sign this bill into law sometime tomorrow. Kiran?

PHILLIPS: And we'll track with you, Dan Lothian, thanks so much.

Well, let's talk about how all of this impacts you. CNN senior medical correspondent Elizabeth Cohen joining us with that.

And let's talk about these new changes, Elizabeth. Who will be paying less? Who may be paying more for health insurance?

ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN SENIOR MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Right. It all depends, Kyra, on two things. It depends where you get your health insurance. Do you get if from your employer or do you buy if on your own, and how much money do you make?

So let's take a look at what health care reform means to your premiums. Let's start here. If you get insurance through your job, your premiums will likely stay the same. That's according to an analysis by the Congressional Budget Office.

All right, now, let's take a look at a different scenario. If you get insurance on your own as millions of Americans do, and you make over $88,000 a year -- we're talking about approximately for a family of four -- you are likely going to see those premiums go up.

Now, one last scenario, what happens if you get insurance on your own but your income is below $88,000 a year? Well, you are likely to see those premiums go down because of some built-in subsidies in those bills.

Now the CBO and I certainly can't tell you exactly how much you'll see the premiums go up and down. But that's approximately some of the direction you should be expecting.

PHILLIPS: So, Elizabeth, in Massachusetts, when they insured more people, it made for longer waits to get an appointment with the doctor. So do we think that that's going to happen nationwide with this new plan?

COHEN: Yes, Kiran, in Massachusetts, one analysis said that people were waiting an extra 10 days to get an appointment with their family doctor because of their health care reform. And when you're sick, you know, 10 days is a long time.

Now we polled some experts and we said, do you think that's going to happen nationwide? About half of them said, oh yes, you know what? It's going to happen here, too. The other half said, you know, in Massachusetts, they flipped a switch.

They just said, OK, health care reform starting now. Whereas this national plan is -- there's, you know, many steps. Things are going to happen in different years. And they said, don't worry. It's going to be fine.

So it depends on who you ask. And there is another interesting part of this, Kyra. You and I have talked many times about how waits at emergency rooms have gone up and up and up over the years because uninsured people use emergency rooms to get the care they should get from their family doctors.

So there is a possibility the wait at emergency rooms will become shorter as more people go to their doctors. Also there are billions of dollars built into this bill for community health care centers. And hopefully, that will help absorb some of these folks who are coming in to the regular system for the first time.

PHILLIPS: And you bring up a great point. I mean how many times have we covered a story here on CNN where someone dies waiting to get into the emergency room? So hopefully, we'll see less of that.

COHEN: That's right. I hope so.

PHILLIPS: Elizabeth, thanks.

COHEN: Thanks.

PHILLIPS: You probably have a lot of questions about health care reform. So do we.

(LAUGHTER)

PHILLIPS: You can e-mail your questions to my blog page, CNN.com/Kyra, and our senior medical correspondent, Elizabeth Cohen, with whom you just heard, will answer your questions in the next hour of CNN NEWSROOM. Now earlier this morning, we heard from someone familiar with the workings of both the medical community and the federal government. Bill Frist is a heart/lung transplant surgeon and former majority leader. He calls this legislation a good first step.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DR. BILL FRIST (R), FORMER SENATE MAJORITY LEADER: This is a start. The two issues are access, coverage issues and cost issues. This bill was limited in the sense that it addressed just one of the issues, the coverage issues.

And historically, what other countries have done, they've done exactly the same thing. They said, let's get everybody in the pool and just worry about costs later. And that's what Massachusetts did.

But the lesson is going to be, yes, a good first step in covering 32 million people but we've got to control the cost in a time of deficit, debt, global competitiveness, taxes going up, premiums likely going up. All of which is going to drive the cost of health care up and not down.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: And a quick programming note. Tonight, CNN unveils the premier of our newest news program, "JOHN KING, USA." Tonight Vicki Kennedy, widow of the late Massachusetts senator, Edward Kennedy, sits down with John for an exclusive interview on the heels of the landmark passage of health care reform.

"JOHN KING, USA." Every week night starting tonight 7:00 p.m. Eastern right here on CNN.

They should be writing the first chapter of their NCAA basketball Cinderella story. But the grim reality on the campus of Cornell University is police guarding pedestrian bridges trying to prevent students from jumping to their deaths.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Well, it's spring break at Cornell University and you'd think that students would be celebrating. Their basketball team's unlikely birth in the NCAA's Sweet 16 tournament.

But instead, there is a depressing reality at that Ivy League school. A rash of student suicides that's now being called a public health crisis.

CNN's Susan Candiotti reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It is a breathtaking view from the bridges that mark the campus of Cornell University. And it's from here into a gorge below that three students, according to a medical examiner, jumped to their deaths. Authorities say all together, six students committed suicide since last fall.

(On camera): What do the students think is behind this?

MICHAEL STRATFORD, CORNELL JUNIOR: I think they're wondering. I think that's -- there's a sense that people don't know what's going on.

CANDIOTTI (voice-over): No one at this prestigious Ivy League school nor mental health experts can put their finger on it. Least of all parents of those who died.

HOWARD GINSBURG, BRADLEY'S FATHER: His nickname at the fraternity was Smiles. And that's because no matter what Bradley did or who he saw, he was continually smiling.

CANDIOTTI: Bradley Ginsburg, seen here at his Bar Mitzvah, was an 18-year-old freshman, a straight A student, his parents say, who loved Cornell, showed no signs of stress, called home daily. They don't believe their son would have taken his life. And state police are still asking questions.

SHERRY GINSBURG, BRADLEY'S MOTHER: Nobody can believe that one of the happiest people that they knew would ever do anything like that and that's what's hurting -- besides not having him, that's what's hurting the most.

CANDIOTTI: Last month, his body was found at the bottom of the gorge.

H. GINSBURG: It's just -- you know, my heart being torn apart every day. I'm sorry.

CANDIOTTI (on camera): Do you feel like you're in crisis right now?

DAVID SKORTON, PRESIDENT, CORNELL UNIVERSITY: Yes. We definitely are in a crisis.

CANDIOTTI (voice-over): In the 1990s, Cornell picked up the nickname "suicide university" prompting a model suicide prevention program, where everyone from professors to janitors are taught to look for signs of trouble. But officials acknowledge something has gone wrong.

SKORTON: There'll be plenty of time to worry about our reputation later. What I'm worried about right now is the next student in distress.

CANDIOTTI: Cornell is posting monitors at its bridges 24/7 for now and plans to erect taller barricades as a deterrent.

TIMOTHY MARCHELL, MENTAL HEALTH DIRECTOR, CORNELL UNIVERSITY: We are placing student support staff in libraries and outside of classrooms where midterm exams are occurring with signs that say, "Do you need to talk?"

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: To seek help when you have a concern or a feeling pain.

CANDIOTTI: They're also using the Internet and taking out full- page newspaper ads. Students echoed the college president's message on a bridge. "If you learn anything at Cornell, learn to ask for help."

But Cornell isn't the only school touched by a string of suicides. Three University of Southern Mississippi students reportedly committed suicide since last summer. At New York University, six students killed themselves during the 2003/2004 academic year. Another last year.

And at Pittsburgh's Carnegie Mellon, a student jumped to his death last summer.

CANDIOTTI (on camera): Is stress to blame?

MARCHELL: Stress is often part of it. Most students that die by suicide have an underlying mental health problem like depression.

CANDIOTTI (voice-over): Even though Bradley Ginsburg's parents are not convinced their son took his life. They want Cornell to make sure parents of new students are aware of the dangers.

H. GINSBURG: At the beginning of the year, talk about the possibility of people taking their lives right up front but put it right on the front burner as it is now.

SKORTON: We're not going to let up at all.

CANDIOTTI: Cornell is taking its cue from students.

(On camera): There is a message that the students have written. Life is full of --

SKORTON: Wonder.

CANDIOTTI: Wonder.

SKORTON: They are helping us to look forward beyond a very painful, horrifying period toward the future.

CANDIOTTI (voice-over): Susan Candiotti, Ithaca, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: Think a hot-button issue but this time it's not health care. We're talking immigration reform and the president has a message for the tens of thousands of people who rallied for change.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Israel's prime minister may want to bring a hammer and nails to the White House when he visits. Benjamin Netanyahu has some fence-mending to do. He meets with top administration officials today and President Obama tomorrow.

The White House is upset over Israel's decision to build 1600 apartments in the largely Arab east Jerusalem.

And Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speaking now to an American/Israeli group. We're going to monitor her speech live right here for any comments about this diplomatic rift.

And Pope Benedict says he's sorry. He's issued an 18-page letter apologizing for years of sex abuse by priests in the Irish Catholic Church. Here's just a little bit of what it say.

Quote, "You have suffered grievously and I am deeply sorry. I openly express the shame and remorse that we all feel. At the same time, I ask you not to lose hope."

The IrishOrganizationBishopaccountability.org says the apology does not go far enough.

A three-day strike by British Airways' cabin crews ends today. The union for those workers says the strike was successful. A lot of weekend flights were ghost flights with no passengers. But British Airways says flights have been full now.

The airline is planning changes to the union -- the changes the union opposes, rather. The union says longer working hours and a cut in staffing level will damage the airlines' reputation.

Amid the health care noise, supporters of immigration reform don't want their cause forgotten. Tens of thousands of people many holding U.S. flags and signs rallied on Washington's National Mall yesterday.

Speaking by a video to the crowd, President Obama says he will do everything in his power to reach a bipartisan deal this year.

Then in Denver, the same scene going on for immigration. And just last week, Senators Chuck Schumer and Lindsey Graham introduced a plan that would set up a series of steps for illegal immigrants to become legal residents.

Two weeks of packing sandbags pay off. The Red River crest and the levees are holding. But the potential for trouble still remains.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Listen closely and you can almost hear a big sigh of relieve coming from the Red River Valley. The river crested at 19 feet above flood level yesterday morning. Thousands of sandbags along the river in Fargo, North Dakota, and across the river in Morehead, Minnesota have actually helped.

So workers continue to monitor the makeshift dykes. Flood, snow, wind, it's all there. Rob Marciano, we thought it was going to crest on Sunday, so wasn't as bad as we thought. Right?

(WEATHER REPORT)

PHILLIPS: Sounds good. Thanks, Rob.

MARCIANO: You bet.

PHILLIPS: The health care overall, Democrats, celebrating. Republicans, not so much. What are you saying about this new era in health care?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANNOUNCER: Live in the CNN NEWSROOM, Kyra Phillips.

PHILLIPS: The stock snapped an eight-session winning streak on Friday. The loses are set to continue today.

Alison Kosik in New York with a look at what's worrying Wall Street. And quite a bit.

Hey, Alison.

ALISON KOSIK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Kyra, you know, when is Wall Street not worried about something? We are expecting a selloff today. And some of it could be a reaction to the health care bill.

The legislation is going to wind up transforming the entire health care industry. So that is expected to impact the insurance companies. Shares of Humana, WellPoint, and United Health were all slightly lower in premarket trading.

There are also some concerns about what's happening overseas. Germany's chancellor said, yesterday, that a bailout for Greece won't be discussed at a European summit this week. And that's raising fears about whether or not the debt-ridden nation is going to get some of that much-needed financial support.

In corporate news, we are getting reports that Google may reveal plans to end some of its operations in China. It all stems in from cyber attack on Gmail accounts that began in China. Google has said that it's no longer willing to run its site under Chinese censorship laws.

The list of bank failure is rolling. Regulators shut down seven banks in five states over the weekend. That brings the total number of failures this year to 37.

Let's go ahead and check on the early numbers right now. The Dow Industrials down about 40, the Nasdaq off about 14.

And finally, Kyra, I know this has been on your mind since Vancouver. You know, you may not be an Olympian, but you can soon look like one. Take a look. Remember those snowboarding pants that looked like jeans. Shaun White and the entire U.S. team wore them. Burden and Gore-Tex will start selling the pants in October. I know you want to buy yourself a pair, Kyra. They look like kind of like you're wearing pairing potato sacks in your jeans. They're not going to be cheap, though.

PHILLIPS: If I could be as cool as Shaun White, I will buy the jeans.

KOSIK: $250 a pair.

PHILLIPS: Yes, OK. That's a little high.

KOSIK: Yes. They're kind of sloppy.

PHILLIPS: Yes, I still have those old, you know, fitted, horrible ski pants, you know from the 1980s. I need to upgrade. So, I don't know. I kind of like the jacket, though.

KOSIK: There you go.

PHILLIPS: That's a little hip jacket. Now, if I could learn how to snowboard.

KOSIK: They're not going to sell the jacket, though.

PHILLIPS: Yes, OK.

KOSIK: Just the jeans.

PHILLIPS: Oh, bummer. Thanks, Alison.

KOSIK: Sure.

PHILLIPS: It's the most sweeping health care overhaul in decades. So, what's in the bill and what's in it for you? It will make coverage available to 32 million Americans, that's what it will do, the ones that are now living without health insurance. And it would forbid insurance companies from denying coverage to people with preexisting medical conditions. But, it would require most Americans to purchase insurance whether they want it or not. If they refuse, they could face penalties.

Now, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, the measure, as it stands today, would cut deficits by an estimate of $138 billion over a decade.

OK. Just before midnight, President Obama stepped before the White House cameras and hailed the reform as, quote, "a victory for the American people." Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARRACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: After nearly 100 years of talk and frustration, after decades of trying and a year of sustained effort and debate, the United States congress finally declared that America's workers and America's families and America's small businesses deserve the security of knowing that here in this country, neither illness nor accident should endanger the dreams they've worked a lifetime to achieve.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: But the top Republican in the House says the overall is being forced on a public that just doesn't want it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. JOHN BOEHNER (R), MINORITY LEADER: We have failed to listen to America, and we have failed to reflect the will of our constituents. And when we fail to reflect that will, we fail ourselves and we fail our country. And look at how this bill was written? Can you say it was done openly? With transparency and accountability? Without back room deals struck behind closed doors, hidden from the people? Hell, no, you can't.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: All right. So, what are you saying this morning? CNN's John Zarrella taking the pulse in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. John, you just wanted to make sure you had breakfast this morning. I know you mingling with the people, having a good eggs Benedict.

JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I got to tell you, Kyra, the Lester's Diner here, terrific food. I think everybody here needs a health care bill after you eat in this place.

PHILLIPS: Really? Your heart will be pumping.

(LAUGHING)

ZARRELLA: You got that right. I'm joined here by Stuart here on my right and Dan is over here in the corner and Michael, who has been elected the spokesperson for the trio here. Now, these three gentlemen are all pretty much in favor of the health care reform bill. And Michael, why is that? What is it that you like about it?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I like it because I think it begins the process, John, of bringing this country into the realm of civilization, of being concerned about the health care generally of the citizens of this country. I'm enormously proud of my president for beginning the process. I realize it'll probably cost me a bit more in the pocket in terms of taxes.

ZARRELLA: Is that doesn't bother you, that you guys may have to pay a little bit more in taxes?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't like paying more but, basically, we pay to ensure that every citizen of this country can have up to a high school education. We pay to ensure that people get police protection. If there is a fire in your house that these fire services will respond. And I think we have an obligation as a civilized society to ensure that everyone receives some basic level of health care, including well care. And I feel proud that the process has begun. I, by no means, agree with every aspect of the bill.

There are some things that I would have liked to see the president and the Congress go a little bit further on, and there are other things that I think maybe have gone too far. But bottom line, this is the beginning in my view. And as much as I mean, I oppose some of the events during the Congress. I'm not proud of that, but I am proud of my president for sticking with something that he believes in and that I believe in.

ZARRELLA: And don, you guys, you are pretty much on the same page?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All three of us, I think, are on the same page. I think, we are all in favor of capitalism, free markets, and competition, but there are human issues involved here and health care is at the very beginning of it, and everybody is entitled to that.

ZARRELLA: And I guess, Stuart, you are on the same page too then, huh?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Absolutely. I think it is a travesty that we don't have some universal level of health care coverage in this country.

ZARRELLA: You know though, Kyra, a lot of people we've talked to here today, you know, it's a mixed opinion. We've had about 50/50 in the last couple of hours we'd been talking to people. Some of the folks we've talked to said, look, you know, we've talked to some small business owners who said, you know, this may cost me a lot more money out of my pocket, and if I'm forced to help cover other employees and I don't have the money in my small business to do it. And a lot of people we talked who said they just don't yet understand how it's going to affect them, the ramifications.

So, they are pretty concerned about that, not knowing how much more it's going to cost them or what level of insurance they may get out of this. So, a lot of unanswered questions that many of the people in here still want answered -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Yes. We want it answered too. I mean, we still don't know how that's going to play out. I'm curious, John, did these guys stay up until the stroke of midnight watching all the action on the floor? I'm curious.

ZARRELLA: Kyra is asking if any of you, guys, stayed up until the stroke of midnight last night watching what went on the floor?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Absolutely. I stayed up until the President spoke in the east wing. I shared his sentiments. The one thing I agree with him, this is the beginning of a process. This process has by no means ended and we have a ways to go. But until every citizen of this country has access to health care and well care, I don't think the President and the Congress and all of us should rest.

ZARRELLA: There you have it, Kyra --

PHILLIPS: OK.

ZARRELLA: You got some folks here who absolutely stayed up, riveted to that, and it was pretty remarkable television that we saw yesterday. It certainly was -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Yes. full of drama. That's for sure. John, thanks so much.

ZARRELLA: Yes, indeed.

PHILLIPS: The measure also reaches beyond health care to education, another one of President Obama's top priorities. It will offer new help to needy college students. Here are some of the details.

While that would actually expand direct lending from the federal government, students would not have to pay fees to the banks that serve as the middlemen. The White House says the expanded program will save the government $61 billion over ten years, and much of that savings would be funneled back into Pell Grants. The increase will be pretty modest, though, from $5,500 now to $5,900 by 2017.

So much for spring. Snow blankets the plains. A messy way to start the new season. We've got more for you.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Tough love. That's the message. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is giving right now and trying to get across this morning as she speaks into the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee. The top Pro is real loving (ph) but says that the administration is committed to Israel's security but will also tell Israel the hard truth if they step out of line.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HILLARY CLINTON, SECRETARY OF STATE: For President Obama and for me, and for this entire administration, our commitment to Israel's security and Israel's future is rock solid, unwavering, enduring and forever.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Checking on their investments, presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, headed to Haiti today to see how recovery efforts are going. Their fund has raised $37 million for relief so far. This will be President Clinton's third trip to Haiti since the quake. It's the first for the former president Bush.

Warning for you as ship off the coast of Yemen. Al Qaeda may be planning an attack. The U.S. Navy's Office of Naval Intelligence says it could be like the U.S. just coincident. A small boat stuck at explosive coming up to a military ship. There have been no specific threats up to this point.

The first week of spring looks a lot like winter for parts of the southern plain. Snow with as much as 8-12 inches fell in Northeast Oklahoma as well as parts of Arkansas and Missouri creating a nasty mess on the roads and more. At least five deaths in four states are attributed to the weather. Rob Marciano, the action hasn't stopped for you?

ROB MARCIANO, AMS METEOROLOGIST: No, it hasn't now that we're in the first poll week of spring, and it just wants to keep staying in winter. Check out some of these numbers that we had coming into parts of the Midwest and central plains, 12 inches in Arkansas. You saw that video up to Oklahoma City. They only saw about a couple of inches, but outside of Oklahoma City, 11 inches, parts of North Texas seeing 10 inches. Near record-breaking snowfall for the season in places like Oklahoma City.

All right. That is all moved off to the east. You are looking at a map that shows Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, and notice heading into parts of Alabama, a little batch of snow driving south towards Birmingham where it's currently 36, 35 degrees. Temperatures are also in the mid-30s across parts of Atlanta where there have been reports of some snow flurries. Meanwhile, temps up across parts of the northeast, pretty balmy, around 50 degrees in New York and around 57 degrees in Washington, D.C. So, kind of flip-flopping here as far as where the warm air is and where the wet stuff is.

Temperatures in New York will be 60 degrees for a high today and 46 degrees expected in Atlanta. A live shot for you. WCBB, our affiliate in Boston, obviously, some low clouds and that visibility there with the mild air, temps in the 40s, and the potential for seeing more flooding across Eastern New England with this next batch of rain coming, one to three inches possible tonight and tomorrow -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: OK. Rob, thanks.

MARCIANO: You bet.

PHILLIPS: Tiger Woods, getting ready to tee it up, but first, he is doing some talking, answering questions about his affairs, his kids and his nerves.

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PHILLIPS: Well, it's a sad day among CNN family as we mourn the loss of Margaret Moth. You may not immediately recognize her name. But you have definitely seen her work which was nothing short of fearless and always focused on the story.

Michael Holmes has a look back at her life and amazing career.

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MICHAEL HOLMES, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Margaret Moth got her first camera, age just eight. And from then on her passion for camera work grew and grew.

She traveled the world for CNN, often to some of its most dangerous places. Margaret sought out, even demanded assignments in conflict zones. She loved her work and her colleagues loved working with her.

CHRISTINE AMANPOUR, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: As soon as we met and we started to work, I knew that Margaret is simply committed, passionate, dedicated and loved this job more than anything.

HOLMES: Margaret's bravery astounded all who've worked with her. She was determined to get the best pictures she could. Sometimes putting herself in the way of danger in doing so. Like here in the former Soviet Republic of Georgia. When others took cover, Margaret kept the camera rolling.

Margaret's life changed forever in 1992. She was shot in the face by a sniper in Sarajevo as she filmed the Balkans war.

A CNN documentary told the harrowing story.

MARGARET MOTH, CNN PHOTOJOURNALIST: And then, I remember that (INAUDIBLE) I felt that my face was swollen and I remember all here I was trying to hold it on.

TOM JOHNSON, FORMER CNN PRESIDENT: This was the most traumatic situation that I have dealt with during my 11 years as President of CNN.

AMANPOUR: She was completely enveloped in bandages. Her face was unrecognizable. She was so badly wounded. The only thing I recognized was her hands. She had very distinctive strong hands.

PARISA KHOSRAVI, CNN SENIOR V.P. INTERNATIONAL NEWSGATHERING: And all you could see were her two big blue bright eyes is staring out.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hi Margaret.

HOLMES: Margaret went back to Sarajevo, not because she had to but because she wanted to. She was asked by a colleague, what she would say to the sniper if they ever met?

MOTH: And I would say, I've been more curious -- I'd be curious and did he see me in the van or did he just shoot randomly into the van? I would not feel any anger or anything.

HOLMES: Just over three years ago, Margaret was diagnosed with cancer. She battled it with bravery and dignity. Sadly, she died on Sunday, age 59, in the United States.

(on camera): I worked with Margaret many times, most notably for me in the West Bank in 2002. Israeli troops had surrounded Yasser Arafat's compound. It was Margaret's bravery and ingenuity that helped us get past tanks and guns for an exclusive interview with him.

(voice-over): Margaret Moth was an incredible woman, her rich personality, her kindness and her bravery and her amazing ability behind the camera inspired so many of those who knew her.

Margaret was at peace with dying. At the very end she joked with her best friend, CNN cameraman, Joe Duran. "Dying is not so bad, Joe. You should try it one day."

Michael Holmes, CNN, Atlanta.

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PHILLIPS: All right, bad joke or racial profiling? The Chicago police officer is now riding a desk while investigators try to figure it all out.

Here is the deal. It starts with a veteran officer pulling over a car with tinted windows then this back and forth with the driver.

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I just want to know why I got pulled over. That's all I want to know. I don't care about the car.

UNIDENTIFIED POLICE OFFICER: You know I'm just going to say this, normally when I talk to someone tells me why did I get pulled over I tell them because they're (EXPLETIVE DELETED) black.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That's prejudice though.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Well, that exchange was captured on one of the passenger's cell phones. So, was the officer just kidding? And get this. The driver isn't even African-American. The police department says its unnecessary sarcasm. You think?

Well, check out the view that Dallas drivers got. They actually got to see a little bit more than what we're showing you right now. Yes, that's a naked guy right there dancing on the billboard. Let's just say he was a bit of a traffic hazard.

Police had to actually climb up there and bring him down. They said that he -- well, they thought he was under the influence. And there are a couple of other guys up there with him, too. Can you say "I double dog dare you to dance up here naked?" And as for Mr. No Pants, well, he got a ride with police straight to the hospital for a little psychiatric evaluation.

All right. Plenty coming up in the next hour of CNN NEWSROOM; here's a look at what's going on. John Zarrella, let's start with you.

ZARRELLA: Kyra, how do Americans feel about the passage of the health care bill? We'll talk to them coming up at the top of the hour.

POPPY HARLOW, CNNMONEY.COM: And just how are lawmakers planning to pay for the $940 billion estimated cost of health care reform? We're going to break down what it means to you and if your taxes are going up. That's all coming up in the next hour.

MARCIANO: And I'm Rob Marciano in the CNN Severe Weather Center, snows across the southern plains over the weekend. We are into the first full week of spring and winter doesn't want to give up. We'll talk about that weather in the next hour -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Thanks guys. And what have you done for me lately? Why some African-Americans are asking that of President Obama. That's just ahead in the next hour.

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PHILLIPS: Tiger Woods is taking questions for the first time since he became a tabloid cover boy, talking about golf and his private life. In new one-on-one interviews Woods says he knows he screwed up and needs to make it up to a lot of people.

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TIGER WOODS, PROFESSIONAL GOLFER: As I said, I have hurt so many people and so many people I have to make amends to. That's living a life of amends.

TOM RINALDI, ESPN CORRESPONDENT: You said you were in treatment. The simple question is -- for what?

WOODS: That's a private matter as well. I can tell you what -- it was tough. It was really tough. To look at yourself in a light that you never want to look at yourself, that's pretty brutal.

RINALDI: What did you see?

WOODS: I saw a person that I never thought I would ever become.

RINALDI: Who was that?

WOODS: I had gotten away from my core values, as I said earlier. I got away from my Buddhism. I quit meditating, I quit doing all the things that my mom and dad had taught me. As I said earlier in my statement, I felt entitled and that's not how I was raised.

RINALDI: Why not seek treatment before all of this came out?

WOODS: I didn't know I was that bad. I didn't know I was that bad. I was living a lie.

RINALDI: How did you learn that? How did you learn?

WOODS: Stripping away denial, rationalization. You strip all that away and you find the truth.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Woods will make his return to golf next month, Masters. He admits he's a little nervous about how the fans are going to react.