Health Care reform bill passes biggest hurdle, to clear by Christmas Eve (video)

Last night, while most people were asleep across the nation, the health care reform bill passed its biggest hurdle. The Senate made history last night with a groundbreaking vote that cleared the health care reform bill, and established the reality of passing health care reform by Christmas Eve. There were 60 yeas to 40 nays, and to say that the Republicans are disappointed is an understatement.

There is no doubt that it was Senator Ben Nelson’s announcement on Saturday that he would support the health care reform bill that gave it the life needed to secure the 60 votes. Senator Ben Nelson spoke the words that will change health care in the United States, “Change is never easy, but change is what's necessary in America today, and that's why I intend to vote for cloture and vote for health care reform.”

Senator Ben Nelson made it thoroughly clear, however, that health care reform would limit abortion coverage and if that were to change he would vote against health care reform. “I reserve the right to vote against the next cloture vote if there are material changes to this agreement in the conference report.” The House and Senate bills will be merged into one, and it is expected that Senator Ben Nelson’s demands will be met. In exchange for Senator Nelson’s vote, the federal government is going to pay the bill for the Senator’s home state of Nebraska’s expanding Medicaid coverage.

President Barack Obama stated, “With today's developments, it now appears that the American people will have the vote they deserve on genuine reform that offers security to those who have health insurance and affordable options for those who do not.”

Some of the factors included in the current health care reform bill include federal subsidies for families of four making less than $88,000 to purchase health care insurance and the bill will expand Medicaid (it has removed the highly controversial public option) for families of four who make less than $29,000. The bill also includes groundbreaking health care insurance reforms that include protection from prior exclusions based upon pre-existing medical conditions.
 

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