House narrowly passes health care bill

Sunday 08th November, 07:55 AM JST

WASHINGTON —

In a victory for President Barack Obama, the Democratic-controlled House narrowly passed landmark health care legislation Saturday night to expand coverage to tens of millions who lack it and place tough new restrictions on the insurance industry. Republican opposition was nearly unanimous.

The 220-215 vote cleared the way for the Senate to begin debate on the issue that has come to overshadow all others in Congress.

A triumphant Speaker Nancy Pelosi likened the legislation to the passage of Social Security in 1935 and Medicare 30 years later.

“It provides coverage for 96 percent of Americans. It offers everyone, regardless of health or income, the peace of mind that comes from knowing they will have access to affordable health care when they need it,” said Rep John Dingell, the 83-year-old Michigan lawmaker who has introduced national health insurance in every Congress since succeeding his father in 1955.

In the run-up to a final vote, conservatives from the two political parties joined forces to impose tough new restrictions on abortion coverage in insurance policies to be sold to many individuals and small groups. They prevailed on a roll call of 240-194.

Ironically, that only solidified support for the legislation, clearing the way for conservative Democrats to vote for it.

The legislation would require most Americans to carry insurance and provide federal subsidies to those who otherwise could not afford it. Large companies would have to offer coverage to their employees. Both consumers and companies would be slapped with penalties if they defied the government’s mandates.

Insurance industry practices such as denying coverage on the basis of pre-existing medical conditions would be banned, and insurers would no longer be able to charge higher premiums on the basis of gender or medical history. In a further slap, the industry would lose its exemption from federal antitrust restrictions on price gouging, bid rigging and market allocation.

A cheer went up from the Democratic side of the House when the bill gained 218 votes, a majority. Moments later, Democrats counted down the final seconds of the voting period in unison, and and let loose an even louder roar when Pelosi grabbed the gavel and declared, “the bill is passed.’

From the Senate, Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada issued a statement saying, “We realize the strong will for reform that exists, and we are energized that we stand closer than ever to reforming our broken health insurance system.”

The bill drew the votes of 219 Democrats and Rep Joseph Cao, a first-term Republican who holds an overwhelmingly Democratic seat in New Orleans. Opposed were 176 Republicans and 39 Democrats.

Nearly unanimous in their opposition, minority Republicans cataloged their objections across hours of debate on the 1,990-page, $1.2 trillion legislation.

United in opposition, minority Republicans cataloged their objections across hours of debate on the 1,990-page, $1.2 trillion legislation.

“We are going to have a complete government takeover of our health care system faster than you can say, `this is making me sick,’” jabbed Rep Candice Miller, R-Mich, adding that Democrats were intent on passing “a jobs-killing, tax-hiking, deficit-exploding” bill.

But with little doubt about the outcome, the rhetoric lacked the fire of last summer’s town hall meetings, when some critics accused Democrats of plotting “death panels” to hasten the demise of senior citizens.

At its core, the measure would create a federally regulated marketplace where consumers could shop for coverage. In the bill’s most controversial provision, the government would sell insurance, although the Congressional Budget Office forecasts that premiums for it would be more expensive than for policies sold by private firms.

The bill is projected to expand coverage to 36 million uninsured, resulting in 96% of the nation’s eligible population having insurance.

To pay for the expansion of coverage, the bill cuts Medicare’s projected spending by more than $400 billion over a decade. It also imposes a tax surcharge of 5.4% on income over $500,000 in the case of individuals and $1 million for families.

The bill was estimated to reduce federal deficits by about $104 billion over a decade, although it lacked two of the key cost-cutting provisions under consideration in the Senate, and its longer-term impact on government red ink was far from clear.

Democrats lined up a range of outside groups behind their legislation, none more important than the AARP, whose support promises political cover against the cuts to Medicare in next year’s congressional elections.

The nation’s drug companies generally support health care overhaul. And while the powerful insurance industry opposed the legislation, it did so quietly, and the result was that Republicans could not count on the type of advertising campaign that might have peeled away skittish Democrats in swing districts.

Over all, the bill envisioned the most sweeping set of changes to the health care system in more than a generation, and Democrats said it marked the culmination of a campaign that Harry Truman began when he sat in the White House 60 years ago.

Debate on the House floor had already begun when Obama strode into a closed-door meeting of the Democratic rank and file across the street from the Capitol to make a final personal appeal to them to pass his top domestic priority.

Later, in an appearance at the White House, he said he had told lawmakers, “to rise to this moment. Answer the call of history, and vote yes for health insurance reform for America.”

Participants also said Obama had referred to this week’s shooting rampage at Fort Hood, Texas, in which 13 people were killed. His remarks put in perspective that the hardships soldiers endure for the country are “what sacrifice really is,” as opposed to “casting a vote that might lose an election for you,” said Rep. Robert Andrews, D-NJ.

It appeared that a compromise brokered Friday night on the volatile issue of abortion had finally secured the votes needed to pass the legislation.

As drafted, the measure denied the use of federal subsidies to purchase abortion coverage in policies sold by private insurers in the new insurance exchange, except in cases of incest, rape or when the life of the mother was in danger.

But abortion foes won far stronger restrictions that would rule out abortion coverage except in those three categories in any government-sold plan. It would also ban abortion coverage in any private plan purchased by consumers receiving federal subsidies.

Disappointed Democratic abortion rights supporters grumbled about the turn of events, but pulled back quickly from any thought of opposing the health care bill in protest.

One, Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., detailed numerous other benefits for women in the bill, including free medical preventive services and better prescription drug coverage under Medicare. “Women need health care reform,” she concluded in remarks on the House floor.

A Republican alternative was rejected on a near party line vote of 258-176.

It relied heavily on loosening regulations on private insurers to reduce costs for those who currently have insurance, in some cases by as much as 10 percent. But congressional budget analysts said the plan would make no dent in the ranks of the uninsured, an assessment that highlighted the difference in priorities between the two political parties.

It was a theme of Obama’s remarks to Democrats at midmorning.

The president said Democrats have a 70-year history of creating and defending programs like Social Security and Medicare, Andrews said afterward, adding Obama had said the day’s vote “is going to define the difference between the Republican and Democratic parties for decades.”

_____

Associated Press writers Phil Elliott, Alan Fram and Erica Werner contributed to this report.

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Latest 15 of 77 Total Comments Show All

Molenir at 02:37 AM JST - 9th November

Good day for Obama, a bad day for America. Good thing, Republicans stood firm against this, sad, only 39 Dems had the courage to vote against it. On the plus side, passing this means the Dems will probably lose the house in 2010.
USAFdude at 03:06 AM JST - 9th November

This is only the first step in correcting the horrors of the previous administration. How wonderful it is to see Americans taking back our country from the brink of Republican-led destruction. And that's only in the first year, gang; just imagine how much America is going to improve under seven more years of President of the United States of America Barack Hussein Obama!

God continue to bless America!
Molenir at 03:41 AM JST - 9th November

This is only the first step in correcting the horrors of the previous administration. How wonderful it is to see Americans taking back our country from the brink of Republican-led destruction.

lol, so funny. I know you're being serious here, but its so wrong its funny. Thanks for the laugh.
adaydream at 03:44 AM JST - 9th November

It's only half way there. We're not finished yet.

But I'm enjoying watching the insurance companies squirm like maggots. < :-)
RomeoRamenII at 04:38 AM JST - 9th November

Seems a wee bit premature for a victory lap by the liberals.

The House version (which is only an outline, btw) must now go to the Senate where they will debate their own version of Obamacare. Then should it pass there'll be more debate to reconcile their different versions into one bill followed by more debates and votes.

In the end, Obama, Reid and Pelosi will wind up stamping their feet and shaking their li'l clenched fists blaming the republicans for the democrat super majority's failure when their beloved House version of a socialism style healthcare system for the U.S. fails to pass.
victimcrat at 06:25 AM JST - 9th November

"Tonight, the Democtatic party stood up and said "We care" and sent the loser GOP packing."

Indeed. Nothing says "We care" like ramming through at midnight on a weekend legislation which will invade and impact nearly every facet of the average citizen's life, but which legislators and their families are immune from.
USAFdude at 06:51 AM JST - 9th November

Molenir, Laughter, in the way you use in your 3:41 am post, is merely a defense mechanism for those with no argument. Show us proof that my post is "so wrong its [sic] funny." Bets anyone?
Sarge at 06:57 AM JST - 9th November

"a jobs-killing, tax-hiking, deficit-exploding bill"

Yeah, it is.
Hehehohohaha at 07:00 AM JST - 9th November

Nothing says "We care" like ramming through at midnight on a weekend legislation

Have you been sleeping the last 12 months? Did you miss Obama's presidential campaign last year? Are you out of touch with reality?

No one rammed anything through. All that happened was a bill passed the House and will now go to the Senate. Settle down. America is still America, the sun still rises in the east.
Noliving at 07:13 AM JST - 9th November

Sail, You want everything changed because of your circumstances and yet care not a wit for all of those Americans without health care. They are supposed to just get by with what we have today. Yeah, it's personal because you want it all about you. Until you grow up and see this is an American thing and not a Sailwind thing, you'll be treated accordingly. Taka

To be fair you could also grow up and realize that american culture is based upon the individual rather then the group. You would know that for example the individuals needs and wants are considered more important then the group in the US. You say grow up, I say get over it, that is just how individualist the american culture is. I don't think it is fair taka to send someone like sailwind to jail for one year or fine him $25,000 because of the fact that they don't want to sign up for some type of health insurance plan in the US that they will never use because they live in japan. It would be like going to someone from the UK who lives in the US and then having the UK government have a warrant out for their arrest and threatened to put them in jail for one year because they didn't pay into the NHS or some other health insurance plan while they lived in the US, that is dumb.

I mean if you think it is such a great idea then tell me why not a single country in the world is trying to do this that has a single payer system or a nationalized health care system where if you don't live in the country you still have to pay into that system or some type of health insurance in that country that you will never use and if you don't we either fine you and or send you to jail as soon as you return back to the states.
Noliving at 07:16 AM JST - 9th November

You should also be aware to taka that under the senate bill, unlike the house of representatives bill, that once you are dropped or leave a private health insurance plan you have to wait 6 months before you can join the federal government plan.
GenkiDesuKa at 05:33 PM JST - 9th November

Sailwind:

Thanks for bring this to our attention. I am a strong supporter of health care reform with a mandate, but it seems obvious that americans living abroad should not have to buy american insurance if they already have insurance abroad. although at the moment I am not living abroad, i plan to write my senators and congressperson to support language in the final health care bill that exempts us citizens living abroad from any mandate.

Thanks again,
sailwind at 10:10 PM JST - 9th November

GenkiDessuka,

Your Welcome...It isn't about me but us. I'm exempt from this though my twenty years of service to my county, but you and others are not, make your voices heard, you do not deserve a damn health care excise tax for living in Japan.
zurcronium at 12:20 AM JST - 10th November

big study in todays news about how the US healthcare stats are sinking like a stone, despite $5 billion a day being spent on healthcare in the US. By far the most of any country.

How many examples does it take for the clueless wingers to get it, the current system benefits only the greedy insurance companies and pushes people out into the cold. That is why so many people die in the US due to no healthcare.

Read it and weap wingers, your GOP healthcare plan is so simple, do not get sick and if you do die quickly. 20,000 babies die a year due to poor US healthcare, something you anti-choice republicans need to think about. You guys want the kids born but then let them die due to lack of healthcare and support for the republicans in the pocket of insurance companies. So typical of conservatives.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2008/jul/17/internationalaidanddevelopment.usa
Molenir at 10:48 AM JST - 11th November

How many examples does it take for the clueless wingers to get it,

I don't know, you guys are so far off in left field that you aren't even visible anymore.

Read it and weap wingers, your GOP healthcare plan is so simple, do not get sick and if you do die quickly.

Obviously you failed to read it. As that is not the plan. Thats the Democratics spin on the plan, which is far more substantial, and realistic then the one the Dems passed. In fact it also addresses issues that the Dems are cowering away from, that would have a real impact on healthcare. Things like Tort Reform. But with them in the pocket of the trial lawyers, we really can't expect much from you loons.