Liveblog- Harry Reid, Chris Dodd speak after key health care meeting: "Contains strong public option"

By GottaLaff

Harry Reid (who sounds miserable!):

"It makes Medicare stronger."

The plan does two things:

Health care will be "more affordable"... and in a fiscally responsible way.

We will not add a dime to the deficit, just the opposite. We'll cut more than 3/4 of a trillion dollars.

And, it will do good things over next 10 years for so many different people.

98% of Americans will have health insurance. 30 million more who don't have it will soon have it. We protect Medicare and make Medicare stronger.

We're proud of the numbers, but it's really about [Americans]. It's about small businesses. About women... we have great provisions that will get better on the floor. Women should be able to get mammograms, not wait until they're 50.

Pre-existing conditions, too.

This is a jobs bill. The finish line is really in sight.

It'll be online tonight.

Chris Dodd is speaking. He's saying he misses Teddy Kennedy.

IT CONTAINS A VERY STRONG PUBLIC OPTION.

I'll update if more info comes in.

UPDATE: Dick Durbin just dared the Rushpubs to post their health care bill online. What bill was that again?

Chuck Schumer: This bill is better than the ones from other committees. It cuts costs to the federal gov't. more than any bill that's been passed. But we also bring advantages to those hurt by insurance market. And we cover 94 (98?)% of Americans. AND we cut the deficit. We will get 60 votes. We have to for the sake of our system.

People will say this bill will turn America around in health care. How could you be against that?

Patty Murray: Just told hugely touching story. Discussing security via health care. There was applause for Reid for his patience, meeting with every one of us.

Complete briefing in 20 minutes.

Reid:

Q: Cuts to Medicare?
A: Fraud, waste, abuse.

Baucus's mom is doing better, but he missed today due to her illness.

Q: Understanding w/ moderates?
A: Ask each of them.

The end.

Politico reports it will have the opt out.