House passes health care bill on 219-212 vote

[DaemonSeid]

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.

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[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

All 178 Republicans opposed it, along with 34 Democrats.

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.

[epchick]

Originally Posted by preciousjeni

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.

[Gusteau]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

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.

Originally Posted by preciousjeni

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.

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

[Lasonja]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

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 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.

[xp2k]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

No it won't be ok if it's one hot hella mess. I'm sick of hearing people still talking about Bush, he's gone and we need to move on.

P.S. Didn't your mother ever tell you never to trust a politician?

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

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by xp2k

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

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.

[ZTA72]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

Personally, I'm glad that nearly everyone will now (by 2014) be insured. We already pay for everyone anyway.

I agree with both statements. What is going to be interesting is how this effects the next generation of physicians. My daughters have to choose by May 15 which school they will attend. At least one of their peers, who has been accepted, has chosen not to attend med school because of this legislation. Short sighted on her part? We all need a crystal ball for that one.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by ZTA72

I agree with both statements. What is going to be interesting is how this effects the next generation of physicians. My daughters have to choose by May 15 which school they will attend. At least one of their peers, who has been accepted, has chosen not to attend med school because of this legislation. Short sighted on her part? We all need a crystal ball for that one.

I think that was shortsighted and hasty on her part. She will probably regret that decision.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by ZTA72

I agree with both statements. What is going to be interesting is how this effects the next generation of physicians. My daughters have to choose by May 15 which school they will attend. At least one of their peers, who has been accepted, has chosen not to attend med school because of this legislation. Short sighted on her part? We all need a crystal ball for that one.

You know, I have heard so many older MDs say they wouldn't recommend anyone go into medicine....when I was going into medical school! It's one of those things. Older physicians see the glass as half empty. They used to be able to do anything the wanted to do without documenting anything. I think that medicine is a very rewarding field and the majority of us are and will remain well paid. In fact, if I was told today that I had to go back and start medical school again today, I'd do it all over again! No questions asked.

I think that people going into medicine need to go into it with their eyes open and need to go for the right reasons. It's no longer a field where you can print money. It should be a calling. I'm here to help people. I should be compensated for being highly educated, but their is no reason that I should have unlimited compesation and no reason I should cheat the system. When I hear people say they will leave medicine because of this new bill, I want to say, "Here's the door!"

[Honeykiss1974]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

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.

You posted my thoughts, with the bolded being oh so true (based on my years of working in finance for a non-for-profit hospital and a for-profit healthsystem).

On another note, Beryana I went through EXACTLY what you're going through (low thyroid and doctors who just based your treatment on your blood test and not anything else). I ended up finding a great physician outside of my network and just paid the out of pocket expense. :sad: Fortunately for me, my job switched to a mandatory open choice plan, so now its no longer an issue but good heavens I understand your frustration and situation though. Total and complete care should always be #1, but unfortunately its not.

Good luck!

[cheerfulgreek]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

No it won't be ok if it's one hot hella mess. I'm sick of hearing people still talking about Bush, he's gone and we need to move on.

P.S. Didn't your mother ever tell you never to trust a politician?

THIS

[PiKA2001]

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

...and excuse Obama's mistakes because Bush was "just as bad, if not worse."

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.

[agzg]

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

[DaemonSeid]

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