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The House says yea to health care reform
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Historic health care legislation passes in the House
On Saturday night, a majority of House democrats claimed victory. After several weeks of bipartisan bickering and intraparty squabbling, U.S. Representatives squeakily passed the Affordable Health Care for America Act, HR 3962, 220 to 215. President Obama called House Speaker Nancy Pelosi with praise and congratulations: "the House of Representatives passed a bill that would finally make real the promise of quality, affordable health care for the American people," said President Obama in a statement released by the White House.
Legislators creating the health care legislation say it's designed to provide health care to an estimated 36 million Americans who are without health care. The president and Democrats in favor of the act say the bill would reduce costs and improve care.
Of course the legislation did not pass without controversy. Republicans voted overwhelmingly against the bill. Only one voted for it. Chairman of the Republican National Committee Michael Steele expressed disappointment. "This is one of those bills that takes a system that is the best in the world and will turn it on its head, and I don't believe this is what the American people want," said Steele. "To me, this doesn't make any sense and I know it doesn't make any sense to the vast majority of people out there."
But Republicans were joined by some Democrats who are considered conservative also dissatisfied with the bill.
Democratic US Representative Dennis Kucinich voted no. He cites the structure of the legislation which he says supports insurance companies. "We can fault legislation in which the government incentivizes the perpetuation, indeed the strengthening, of the for-profit health insurance industry, the very source of the problem. When health insurance companies deny care or raise premiums, co-pays and deductibles they are simply trying to make a profit," said Kucinich. "That is our system."
The bill's passage comes at a time when Congress faces low approval ratings by the American public. One of the reasons for the public's discontent for the phalanx of lawmakers is the discord across the aisle and the seeming inability to effectively get legislation passed.
"Now the United States Senate must follow suit and pass its version of the legislation. I am absolutely confident it will, and I look forward to signing comprehensive health insurance reform into law by the end of the year," said Mister Obama. It's speculated that the senate will not vote for a final measure until December at the earliest.
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