Today on CNN Newsroom
Ultimate excuse for 4th grader
We all saw it live on CNN-President Obama writing an excuse note for a 4th grader who cut class to see him in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
We tracked down Kennedy Copus, her dad and the teacher who says a note from the President is good enough for her. Watch Krya's interview.
The 30 Second Pitch: Eric Sheptock
When we heard about Eric Sheptock on NPR we knew we had to make him part of the pitch.
He's homeless and has become a passionate avocate for fellow homeless people living in the Washington DC metro area. He has his own blog ericsheptock.com. He's looking for a job. Watch his pitch.
AMA vs. Pres. Obama's Health Care Reform
Monday, President Obama talks to America’s doctors at the annual AMA convention. Doctors have a lot of worries about his health care reform ideas.
CNN Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen talks to CNN Newsroom anchor Tony Harris.
Can America Afford Health Care Reform?
Do you have health insurance? Or are you among the millions of Americans who are uninsured? President Obama wants everyone to be covered. But can the nation afford to do that?
We want to hear from you about everything from the current state of health care to what health care in America should be – and how we should get there. Tell us all: the good, the bad and the ugly. If you have a question about what’s being proposed in Washington or the timetable for possible action, post it here. We’ll get some answers when Fredricka Whitfield takes a hard look at health care reform Saturday at 4pm ET.
Health Care Reform
President Obama hit the road yesterday to talk health care reform. At a town hall meeting in Green Bay, Wisconsin he laid out his case for revamping the nation’s health care system, highlighting vast differences in the quality and cost of health care across the country. The U.S. health care system is the most expensive in the world; we spend almost 50 percent more per person than any other country. President Obama emphasized health care as the biggest threat to the federal deficit and a vital part of fixing the overall economy.
Americans are also struggling with their own personal debt, in large part due to health care costs. A recent Harvard study found that more than 60 percent of bankruptcy filings are due to medical costs. From 2001 to 2007 the number of bankruptcies related to medical expenses rose 50 percent. In his remarks yesterday President Obama said, “Within a decade we will be spending one out of every five dollars we earn on health care. In thirty years, it will be one out of every three.” With hopes of having a new health care bill on his desk by October, there are still a lot of questions that need to be answered. So far there is little support for government-sponsored health care among Republicans, and little faith from Democrats in fixing the current system.
The President will continue to push his agenda on Monday as he heads to Chicago to convince America’s largest physician organization, the American Medical Association, which earlier this week said that they are opposed to a government-sponsored health care system. Another option that has been gaining in popularity as a potential compromise between a full fledged government-run system and a solely private option are non-profit health insurance cooperatives.
At 10:30am ET we’ll get the views and opinions from three different people in our Snapshot Across America. Heidi Collins will speak with Michael Cannon from the Cannon Institute, Dr. Jane Delgado, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health, and Chris Woleske, Executive Vice President of Biden Health Care.
What are your thoughts on the issue? Post your suggestions and opinions.
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