7:41:03 PM: Current debate involves Republican “alternative” to Democratic bill.

7:45:02 PM: Rep. Barton — argues against bill on basis of immense costs, mandates…

7:48:03 PM: Rep. Rangel — looking stressed from his own tax problems — asks for words from Rep. Stark on pro bill argument.

7:51:20 PM: Up now, Rep McDermott — a psychiatrist — argues for public option…laying it on harshly!

7:53:30 PM: Rep. Doggett adding fuel to Dems’ fire…

7:55:37 PM: Votes on both abortion provision and Republican alternative follows debate….

8:05:17 PM: Rep. Rangel addresses missed Republican potential to effect change with appropriate due diligence and morality with regard to health reform.

8:07:04 PM: Getting ever so closer to end of debate.

8:08:28 PM: Ed Markey (D-MA) addresses pre-existing condition discrimination invoking AMA and AARP support for Dems’ bill.

8:13:32 PM: Rep. Gonzalez (D-TX) criticizes healthcare cost increases in his state from the “Texas model” he says Republicans “guilty” of supporting.

8:19:20 PM: Rep. Cantor — one of the most fiscally conservative Repubs. — makes case for his party’s alternative.

8:21:25 PM: Less than 10 minutes remain until House vote.

8:25:55 PM: John Boehner up once again on cusp of vote.

8:29:51 PM: Boehner uses current unemployment climate as argument against “wasteful” Democratic plan.

8:32:25 PM: Boehner criticizes Dem plan as overtly taxing employers and cutting Medicare (Advantage) benefits to beneficiaries to pay for reform.

8:34:47 PM: Boehner mispronounces the word “hyperbole”. Thinks it rhymes with “bowl”.

8:38:34 PM: Boehner now cherry-picking points from HR 3962 to make his points against reform bill. Taking longer than expected….

8:41:58 PM: Via Politico http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1109/29263.html, Dem leaders feel they have votes to pass $1.2T reform bill.

8:49:13 PM: Rep. Waxman intros Rep. Dingell, the bill’s primary author, to close out debate. Exciting!

8:51:40 PM: Dingell eloquent with final remarks, addressing scope of reach of reform to uninsured.

8:57:45 PM: Let the voting begin….

8:59:19 PM: Right now, voting on Stupak amendment — critical to final reform bill vote.

9:23:24 PM: Voting continues. Next up — a vote on the Republican bill alternative, then a vote on HR 3962.

9:44:29 PM: Stupak amendment (as expected) passes, GOP alternative defeated, final vote on history-making reform bill looms.

Related Posts Within Doctor Pundit:

1. Senate Majority Leader Reid: No Vote on Reform until after August Apparently, the move is one of urgency at bipartisanship. Reid...
2. Senate Passes Health Reform Bill, Concluding 2009 Session with Historic Party-Line Vote The Senate version of the reform bill passed this morning...
3. Baucus Vote Just the Beginning of Intensity of Reform Debate By now healthcare policy watchers everywhere know that the Baucus...