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11:23

11:28

Fred Barbash-Moderator - Good morning. John Dingell, Democrat of Michigan, the longest serving member of the House, will take your questions starting at 12:30. Rep. Dingell came to the House in 1955 and has been re-elected 26 times.

You are welcome to submit questions in advance now. Please write in your name rather than using a handle or "guest." Mr. Dingell will take as many as he can, with apologies for those that don't make it.

12:35

Fred Barbash-Moderator - Congressman Dingell. Welcome. It's a privilege to have you with us today. And welcome to all POLITICO readers.

I'll start the questioning. On healthcare. I believe your father was one of the first--if not the first--member to push for healthcare reform legislation. You have also championed this cause throughout your career. A two part question:

What do you believe has gotten in the way of comprehensive healthcare legislation in the many years you've been battling this...particularly during the Clinton years.

And why is this year different from the others as far as legislation is concerned?

12:38

[Comment From Rep. John Dingell]
Well first of all, thank you for the question and 2nd of all thank you for the compliment. My dad started out with Roosevelt in 1935 . It was Roosevelt's plan to move forward with this. Roosevelts plan had to be dropped in 1936 because of an economic downturn and we had lost quite a number of seats and we were also getting ready to fight WWII ...

12:40

Michael - re: Health Care Reform. You have always advocated for a single-payer system, but now you are working on a plan in the House with President Obama that is not single-payer. Is the bill you are working on going to cover all Americans? What is the liklihood that the Obama health reform becomes law?

12:41

[Comment From Rep. John Dingell]
There was a bill in 1943. That was called the Dingell-Murray-Wagner bill. That bill failed because of tremendous opposition from the Business, medical and insurance industries. I introduced dad's bill every year i came to congreess so that it would be pendin. It is a single payer bill and I think it is the best way to go

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