After meeting with the Democratic caucus to unveil the details of his merged Senate health care reform bill, Senate Majority Harry Reid held a press conference to announce the bill.
The bill "saves lives, saves money and protects Medicare, makes Medicare stronger," Reid said, flanked by several Democratic senators, including Chris Dodd, Debbie Stabenow, Al Franken and Chuck Schumer.
"Ninety-eight percent of the American people, those that have Medicare will be included in that number, will have health insurance," he said,
Earlier today, Reid's office briefed reporters on the Congressional Budget Office's analysis of the bill, which will require $849 billion over 10 years in new spending and will reduce the deficit by $127 billion. The CBO had a slightly different percentage of Americans who will be insured, saying the number would come in at 94 percent.
"We're proud of these figures," Reid said.
"Not only do we make [health insurance] affordable for every American, we certainly do it in a fiscally responsible way," he said.
"This is about winning," he added.
He also commented on the recent guidelines released by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force that say women should wait until age 50 to start regular mammograms to screen for breast cancer, instead of the age of 40.
Reid said it is "outrageous" and women "should not have to wait until they are 50 years old" to get the screenings.
Republicans have attacked the guidelines, saying the guidelines are an omen of rationing under a government-run health care plan. Democrats have also expressed concern with the panel's finding.
While taking questions, Reid said he's talked to Sen. Max Baucus several times today and expects him to be there for a cloture vote.
"He's a team guy," Reid said. Baucus had flown to Montana because his mother is ill.

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Maritza
November 18, 2009 7:22 PM
Good start Senator Reid!
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masanf
November 18, 2009 8:32 PM in reply to Maritza
Jeez, the sycophantic toadying is absolutely nauseating. But what else would one expect from a guy who has a picture of the president as his avatar. Pathetic.
The Obama Record: Record unemployment, record deficits, no legislative accomplishments.
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runfastandwin
November 18, 2009 8:41 PM in reply to masanf
And your record is exactly what? Typing missives from your mom's basement? Begone troll.
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Ash
November 18, 2009 9:00 PM in reply to masanf
It's kinda funny to know that you too will benefit from HCR. In 30 years when the country is ready to go single payer, you will probably be one of those wingnuts yelling "keep the gov'ment away from my public option!" Silly troll.
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Maurizio
November 18, 2009 10:21 PM in reply to Ash
I love it. That is exactly what will happen. Once Obama fires Geithner and Summers and gets his act together, we can look forward to some quality policies while trolls' heads explode in fury at all the benefits they are given.
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ShawninMo
November 19, 2009 12:10 AM in reply to Ash
Are we going to benefit because 45% of doctors are considering leaving the medical feild if Obama care passes or because the government will ration our care? When the government tells women they don't need mammograms until the age of 50, guess what, they won't cover them until the age of 50.
Those in power making the rules will get what they want, but the rest of us are at their mercy.
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traitorjoe
November 19, 2009 1:08 AM in reply to ShawninMo
45% of doctors leaving the field? To go where? Where do you get these figures, Fantasyland? I have two doctors in my family neither one is leaving and neither is anyone else they know. Simpletons like you really fall for silly scare tactics, don't you?
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ShawninMo
November 19, 2009 1:23 AM in reply to traitorjoe
Investors Business Daily. You know, the most accurate survey durring the election. I'm glad to see none of the doctors in your area are leaving the feild, but that leaves the rest of us assed out. I guess as long as your area gets covered that's good enough.
I got scared long before this survey, Nov 5th to be exact.
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L0ngT0m
November 19, 2009 6:56 AM in reply to ShawninMo
This is a preposterous comment. There's no such thing as "Obamacare." Whenever the poll, or whatever it is, was conducted, no health care reform bill had been clearly articulated. Besides, most doctors actually support single-payer health insurance.
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ShawninMo
November 21, 2009 9:25 AM in reply to L0ngT0m
Obama has spoken of this for the last few years. He ran on government provided insurance. This is His baby. And He, being the ranking office holder in the democrat party, gets the credit and naming rights for anything the dems finally come up with, if it passes.
As for the survey, it was september 09. The only way polls are proven right or wrong is when the event passes. So we will have to wait until doctors start getting paid medicaid wages to see if they quit the field.
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matyra
November 18, 2009 7:25 PM
If this is about winning, get this stupid thing passed and start working on the economy, making jobs, increasing exports, reducing CO2, and balancing the budget. There's a lot of things going on right now, no?
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Winston Smith
November 18, 2009 7:42 PM in reply to matyra
I agree. Get this thing passed and start working on health care for all Americans.
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mans_best_friend
November 18, 2009 8:56 PM in reply to Winston Smith
If this was easy it would have been done a long time ago. They've still got a tough road ahead.
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rbeats
November 18, 2009 7:59 PM
Congrats on covering 94% of the people and giving the insurance companies a 480 billion bailout in subsides.
way to get em' Harry, way to get em'...
Pathetic.
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rbeats
November 19, 2009 1:26 AM in reply to rbeats
Man you guys sure like to feed the trolls (as seen above my comment) but no one wants to discuss my comment, which I humbly believe has some merit.
Ohh well.
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Bearlegdairy
November 18, 2009 8:18 PM
Hi Senator Franken! Looking good as always.
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masanf
November 18, 2009 8:31 PM
The bill 'saves lives, saves money and protects Medicare, makes Medicare stronger.' "
Evidently, between now and the time the Moderate Dems join the Republican filibuster to prevent a final vote he will be able to come up with a plausible explanation as to how cutting almost a half-trillion dollars from Medicare makes it stronger.
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Ash
November 18, 2009 9:03 PM in reply to masanf
You haven't been keeping up...a large chunk of health care costs are sunk into waste, inefficiency, and fraud within Medicare...by patching up those holes, we both save money and make Medicare work better for everyone. Silly troll.
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ShawninMo
November 18, 2009 10:56 PM in reply to Ash
That's a good one, the government being efficient. I can't wait to see how they spin this to blame someone else when the coverage sucks or it costs three times as much as they said it will. This Obamagasm will end and it's going to be a major downer for you guys.
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traitorjoe
November 19, 2009 1:10 AM in reply to ShawninMo
We will have a special option for you to opt out so your rates can keep going up 20% each year and you can be denied coverage for any preexisting condition. So please go to the emergency room for any ailment and wait 12 hours before seeing anyone, that's what the current system does for you.
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ShawninMo
November 19, 2009 1:34 AM in reply to traitorjoe
My rates are about to go way above a 20% increase, the government's getting involved. The pre-existing coverage clause is to protect companies from being victim of people who wait until they have a problem to get coverage.
Let me pose a question. I don't get car insurance, and then I have an accident and go buy insurance to cover my car. Should Geico, or whomever, cover the damage? NO.
The pre-existing condition clause, which only lasts a year at the most, is to protect insurance companies from this scenario. If you have coverage and change companies, there is no such thing as a pre-existing condition.
You'll pray for a 12 hour consultation after universal care is passed. Hell, you'll pray for a one week waiting period for a consultation.
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runfastandwin
November 18, 2009 8:43 PM
How cool is it to see Senator Franken in the picture? I predict a republican wipeout of epic proportions in 2010...and again in 2012...
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o224hsday
November 18, 2009 10:36 PM
This is a great start down the road towards covering all US citizens. Let's not get side tracked into a ditch by R's and Joe LIEberman.
I was trying to find some info on health care coverage in AR insurance industry to get a better idea about Sen. Lincoln's flip flop on the public option and came across this tidbit: "Collectively the Blue Cross and Blue Shield System (nationally) provides health-care coverage for more than 92 million people — nearly one-third of all Americans — in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico..." see .com/about/profile.aspx
So much for all the competition the R's keep squawking about!
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Iamtheocean
November 18, 2009 10:43 PM
Get this baby to the Floor and we just might have a bill signed into law by the middle of January : )
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