The House Budget Committee is expected to begin marking up the health care reform reconciliation bill on Monday, beginning the next step in the legislative process to get a final health care reform bill sent to the President.  Democrats are still awaiting a cost estimate from the Congressional Budget Office, which is expected to be released at some point this weekend.

The reconciliation bill will contain changes to the Senate bill needed to get the support of House Democrats.  Passing an amended bill under reconciliation rules will allow the Senate to consider and pass the changes under special rules requiring a simple majority to pass rather than a 60-vote majority.  Congressional leaders hope to send a final bill to President Obama no later than the Easter Congressional recess.
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Harry Smith’s Early Show colonoscopy is being replayed on CBS.com.

You can watch Harry and Katie Couric the day before the test discuss the prep and talk about saving lives by finding polyps. This morning, Katie is in the procedure room with Harry and the medical staff.

Dr. Mark Pochapin demonstrates how the colonoscope works to view the colon, snare polyps if they are found, and remove them.

As Dr. Pochapin withdraws the scope, Harry is awake but comfortable, talking and asking questions.  Dr. Pochapin explains what he is seeing on the video monitor in Harry’s colon.

Afterwards, Harry said, “Piece of cake!  You have a tremendous peace of mind.”

Katie says, “Do it for the people you love.”

Anchor Harry Smith will have a colonoscopy live on the CBS Early Show March 10.  He plans to tell viewers about the procedure while it is happening.

Evening News anchor and managing editor Katie Couric will be with Smith during the colonoscopy and as he prepares for it the night before.

Gastroenterologist Dr. Mark Pochapin will do the procedure at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center. Read the rest of this entry »

Click on Peter's face to hear the song.

Listen to folk singer Peter Yarrow, of Peter, Paul & Mary, sing the Colonoscopy Song.

Yarrow and CBS teamed up to deliver the message that getting a regular colonoscopy saves lives.

Although they “found a polyp hiding, they caught it just in time.”

In celebration of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, members of the Colon Cancer Alliance rang the closing bell for NASDAQ on March 2.

CCA CEO Andrew Spiegel was joined by staff, board members, and colon cancer survivors for the closing ceremony.

Watch a clip of the ceremony on Facebook. Read the rest of this entry »