Continued live-blogging of the House floor debate on health care bill today as the Energy and Commerce Committee time ends and the Ways and Means Committee time begins.

Chairman Sander Levin (MI): Discusses patient stories, says “Republicans have turned their backs on Americans.  This will make our beloved America a better nation.”

Ranking Member Dave Camp (MI): The American people know you can’t create a brand new trillion dollar entitlement program without expanding the deficit.  Kill the bill!

Levin yields to Charlie Rangel: “One of my lowest points in my political career was yielding my chairmanship of the Ways and Means Committee.  I did not want to do anything that might distract from this historic bill, and I am now, when people ask, How are you today?  This is one of the most historic moments on my life….

Donna Edwards realizes she has a difficulty — both the controllers of time are gentlemen from Michigan!

Wally Herger: “The American people don’t want to raid the treasury to cut Medicare and pay for abortions!”

Levin: Mr Stark will submit a statement, yield to Georgia’s John Lewis: “We have a moral obligation to recognize that health care is a right, not a privilege, the American people need health care and they need it now.  Stand with the American people!  Give the American people a victory! Give health care a chance!”

Edwards gavels the applause for Mr Lewis.

Sam Johnson, TX: “I for one know what is the America I want — freedom from a two trillion dollar takeover, freedom from explodoing debt.  What kind of legacy do you want to leave?  Will you cave in to Speaker Pelosi?”

Neal, MA: This is the most significant day, MAdame Speaker.  Insurance companies can’t discriminate based on pre-existing conditions.  Kids can stay on their parents’ plans until they are 26.  No one has defended Medicare and Social Security better than Democrats — I don’t think you can believe the GOP.

Brady, TX: The cost has gone up, it takes two months to see a doctor, now the government rations care — this isn’t the future, this is MA today.  Higher costs, lower care, rationing.  This is why America is saying no to Obamacare.

Tags: Health care, House of Representatives, liveblog

Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-CA)

Just because a couple people in the comments asked for it, I’ll put up the numbers at the bottom of this post. But as a news peg, let me show you Loretta Sanchez’ tweet from the well of the House:

Looking forward to casting my vote on this historic health care bill! House is currently set to vote around 11pm EST.

I think a “No” vote after that statement would be, well, odd. So she’s a yes.

For me, acting with an abundance of caution, I think it’s 214-209. So that would be two from passage, with 8 undecided.

UPDATE: Jim Cooper makes it 215. That’s one from passage. As I said, this is going to pass.

UPDATE II: Indiana’s Joe Donnelly was part of the Stupak agreement, he confirms. That gives the Democrats the required 216 votes, and 100% assurance of passage of health care reform today.

Full count after the jump. . . .

Tags: Health care, House of Representatives, Jim Cooper, Joe Donnelly, Loretta Sanchez, whip counts

Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. presiding over House activities (source: C-SPAN)

Welcome to part three of the liveblog on the House of Representative’s health insurance reform vote (live on C-Span). With the announcement of a deal with Bart Stupak (D-MI) it seems very likely that the bill will pass.

5:50 pm – Taking place right now is the vote on the motion to suspend the rules and agree as amended. This vote is on an unrelated matter commending Cold War veterans and appears every member will vote yes.

6:04 pm – Taking place right now is a five minute procedural vote on the rules for debate of health care reform. it cares with 228 Democrats voting for it.

6:13 pm – Now there is a 15 minute vote on the rules for the debate. This is passes the general debate on the health care bills will follow (I know it is silly system.)

Tags: Bart Stupak, health care reform, liveblog, Reconciliation, Stupak bloc