House passes health care bill on 219-212 vote
 

Washington (CNN) -- President Obama won a historic victory in the struggle for health care reform Sunday as the House of Representatives passed a sweeping bill overhauling the American medical system.

The bill passed in a 219-212 vote after more than a year of bitter partisan debate. All 178 Republicans opposed it, along with 34 Democrats.

The measure, which cleared the Senate in December, will now go to Obama's desk to be signed into law. It constitutes the biggest expansion of federal health care guarantees since the enactment of Medicare and Medicaid more than four decades ago.

A separate compromise package of changes expanding the reach of the measure was passed by the House after its vote on the Senate bill. That reconcilation bill will advance to the Senate.

The overall $940 billion plan is projected to extend insurance coverage to roughly 32 million additional Americans. It represents a significant step towards the goal of universal coverage sought by every Democratic president since Harry Truman.

Most Americans will now be required to have health insurance or pay a fine. Larger employers will be required to provide coverage or risk financial penalties. Total individual out-of-pocket expenses will be capped, and insurers will be barred from denying coverage based on gender or pre-existing conditions.

link

This frightens me. I'm 100% behind health coverage for all, but I just don't know if this is the best way to achieve it.

I agree.

This is what I like. I trust Obama, and if this does turn out to be one hot hella mess, then that's o.k. because at this point, I don't think anything thing bad that comes from this can be any worse than what Bush's dumb ass did for 8 long years.

Bush is gone, but the lingering stench of his incompetent administration lives on...so talking about him is still fair play in my opinion (but thats all that is...an opinion).

This bill could have done a lot of good if the dems hadnt had to make so many "concession". Some of the accomplishments made could have done by the government without this bill.

It isnt "universal", but at least its a start.

Its also not "a government takeover of the US health system" or "the decision that will lead to the ultimate destruction of the United States"...so chill people...really

To me, It's the same as saying, " I'm ok with my husband cheating on me, because my ex used to beat me. Cheating isn't as bad as being abused...".

I wasn't a fan of Bush but two wrongs don't make a right and I'm not going to be giving Obama a free pass on the basis that he's not Bush like some people have been doing.

Hopefully this bill works like they say it will.

I agree with this statement. I'm glad the hoopla is over. Change freaks everyone out. They've done a really good job of making people believe that this bill is a lot of things that it's not. It's been passed, good or bad. Personally, I'm glad that nearly everyone will now (by 2014) be insured. We already pay for everyone anyway.

Some girl was talking about how both parties "worked together" to make this happen on her facebook status. I was just like, "umm...no." Regardless of what you think of the legislation you can't call it a successful collaboration. LOL

For any looking for a summary of the bill (who hasn't seen one): http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_1...46-503544.html

"I hate this bill because now that means I have to pay for people too lazy to work!" - Random Co Worker.

Spoken like someone who has never had to work for or own a company that does not provide healthcare.

I don't like the bill itself. It doesn't go far enough. I do think that it's good in that it creates an entitlement which will never go away. My prediction is that the insurers will do what big companies with monopolies do and continue to drive prices up and coverage down forcing Congress to act later on to restructure costs, create a public option and all of those things we all know would really make a difference here.

For now though, baby steps work for me.

Now you guys got me curious enough to be nosey....hehehe.

Kevin I don't see how this is going to work for us without a public option. How about Stopping hospitals charging $40 for an aspirin or $300 for an xray of my wrist or me having to pay $30 out of pocket with my insurance picking up $70 for a three minute consultation with a Dr. That might lower costs.

Dude, you forgot, Kevin will always have a job so healthcare should be no big whup for him.