In other healthcare news, nine people were arrested Thursday at the offices of independent Senator Joseph Lieberman. The action was organized by the group Mobilization for Health Care for All. It came just over a week after Lieberman said he would back a Republican filibuster if the public option is included in a final healthcare reform bill.

Kai Newkirk of Mobilization for Health Care for All: “We’re waiting to talk to somebody from Joseph Lieberman’s staff. We’re waiting to talk to the senator, because we want to ask him to take a public pledge now that he’s not going take any more money from insurance companies. We want to ask him, is he the senator for Connecticut or the senator for Aetna? We’re not going to go anywhere. Is that right, everybody? Because we’re serious about this. We’re serious about this. People are dying ever day. Forty-five thousand people die in our country every year 'cause they can't get the healthcare they need.”

Lieberman refused to meet the protesters, who were then carried away by police.

Protester: “People, not profits! Healthcare for all! Lieberman is shameful. Shame on Lieberman for threatening to filibuster the hopes of the American people!”

Mobilization for Health Care for All says four of the activists are now refusing to cooperate with police and vowing to remain in prison until Lieberman agrees to stop accepting insurance industry donations.