Democrats grow confident ahead of health care vote
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic House leaders predicted Sunday the final tally on President Barack Obama's historic health care bill will meet or exceed the 216 votes required for passage. Still at issue were the votes of a handful of members concerned about the abortion issue. In a show of confidence, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi emerged from the final Democratic caucus before the vote wielding a large gavel and leading Democrats across the street to the Capitol for the final series of tallies.
Protester disrupts House, yells 'Kill the Bill'
WASHINGTON (AP) — A Democratic lawmaker says a protester stood up in the House gallery, yelled "Kill the bill" and was cheered by Republicans. Angry demonstrators opposed to the health care bill gathered outside the Capitol on Sunday. Democratic Rep. Barney Frank of Massachusetts says that one stood up in the House gallery and shouted, "Kill the bill. The people don't want this."
Dem chairman says abortion foe on board
WASHINGTON (AP) — A Democratic chairman says a leading abortion foe will back President Barack Obama's health care bill. But the office of Democratic Rep. Bart Stupak of Michigan says no decision has been made. Rep. Henry Waxman of California says party leaders have been able to secure the support of Stupak.
Insurers, doctor-owned hospitals get late help
WASHINGTON (AP) — Tucked into President Barack Obama's health care bill are several 11th-hour changes that help major insurance companies and doctor-owned hospitals. Among the beneficiaries, according to lobbyists and congressional aides, are Kaiser Permanente, the giant California-based insurance company; Geisinger Health Plan based in Pennsylvania; and doctor-owned health facilities in about a dozen states, including Ohio, Pennsylvania and Tennessee.
Pelosi heckled while leading Dems to Capitol
WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says Democrats are voting on the historic health care overhaul as a gesture for the American people. But as Pelosi emerged from the final caucus meeting before the historic vote, protesters chanted her name and shouted to "kill the bill."
Key anti-abortion Dem says he's hopeful on talks
WASHINGTON (AP) — The leader of a key bloc of anti-abortion House Democrats says he's hopeful of an agreement that would allow him to vote for the health care bill. Congressman Bart Stupak of Michigan says he and a half-dozen other abortion opponents worked Saturday night with House leaders to craft a presidential executive order affirming current law barring federal funding for abortions.
Ohio Democrat says she will vote for health bill
WASHINGTON (AP) — One of the House Democrats who had been undecided over the health care bill because of concerns it would put public money toward abortion says she is voting for the measure. Ohio Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur said Sunday she will support the bill when it comes to a vote later in the day.
Former Interior Secretary Udall dies at age 90
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Stewart Udall, an elder in a famed political family who led the Interior Department as it promoted an expansion of public lands and helped win passage of major environmental laws, has died at the age of 90. During his 1961-1968 tenure as interior secretary, Udall sowed the seeds of the modern environmental movement. He later became a crusader for victims of radiation exposure from the government's Cold War nuclear programs.
Clinton pokes fun at Dems, GOP and himself
WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President Bill Clinton poked fun at Republicans, Democrats, his own health and his audience of reporters Saturday night, telling the Gridiron Club's annual dinner he was there because "I really didn't have anything much better to do tonight." Clinton, who stood in for President Barack Obama, said Democrats are going to pass health care.
Obama on the brink of a health care reinvention
WASHINGTON (AP) — Rarely does the government, that big, clumsy, poorly regarded oaf, pull off anything short of war that touches all lives with one act, one stroke of a president's pen. Such a moment now seems near. After a year of riotous argument, decades of failure and a century of spoiled hopes, the United States is reaching for a system of medical care that extends coverage nearly to all citizens. The change that's coming, if Sunday's tussle in the House goes President Barack Obama's way, would reshape a sixth of the economy and shatter the status quo.
