House passes health care reform: Victory for Obama. Pelosi, Dems

November 7, 9:45 PMPortland Progressive ExaminerMichael Stone

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Speaker Nancy Pelosi, center, is joined by (L-R) Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, Majority Whip James Clyburn, and Rep. George Miller, D-Calif. during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009 in Washington after the passage in the house of the health care reform bill. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

The House passes health care reform, bringing victory to President Obama, Speaker of the House Pelosi, Democrats, and the American people. In an evening of historical significance, the House of Representatives passed the biggest overhaul of America's medical system since Medicare.

In a tight vote the House of Representatives passed the bill Saturday night with a vote of 220 for reform and 215 against reform. A single Republican - Joseph Cao from Louisiana - crossed party lines to do the right thing and vote in favor of heath care reform..

While the bill is a victory for progressives, it is not all it could be. The ideal would be a single payer, universal system of health care. The public option is a foot in the door, and with time and a little luck the public option will evolve into a single payer, universal system of health care.

The Democrats emerge from the vote with momentum and the sweet taste of victory, yet the fact remains that 39 Democrats voted no to health care reform. They should be investigated, and perhaps challenged in the 2010 primary if necessary. Anyone who voted against health care reform is simply not worthy of Democrats' support.

Another battle awaits in the Senate. As Democrats continue to answer the call of history, they still have some heavy lifting to do. Nevertheless, things are looking good for health care reform, and progressive America.