It was late in the evening, on a Sunday at that, and
the House was still rife with activity. The House was taking a vote on
health care legislation – and they passed the bill, 219 – 212. The
bill’s passing is the climax of a political journey that lasted for than
a year – a year, as described by an article on CNN, “of bitter bipartisan debate.”
The bill is now
headed for President Barack
Obama’s desk – and we all know that all that needs to be done on
Monday is for him to sign it into a law.
The President gave the following statement, as quoted by Ben Feller of The Associated Press and posted on The Washington Post: “Today, we answered the call of history.” The President says further: “I want to thank every member of Congress who stood up tonight with courage and conviction to make health care reform a reality. I know this wasn’t an easy vote for a lot of people. But it was the right vote.” The President addressed the nation from the East Room of the White House.
CNN called the passing of the bill “a historic victory” for the President, as health care reform is his number one domestic priority. As expected, all Republican representatives voted against the bill, as did some Democrats.
The health care bill is deemed as the most significant overhaul of federal health care guarantees since the institution of Medicare and Medicaid. The bill will require most Americans to have health insurance or risk being charged with a fine. Large employers are required to provide coverage or pay penalties, and insurance companies can no longer deny coverage due to gender or pre-existing conditions.
Tags: barack obama health, health bill, health legislation, US health care
The bill is now
headed for President Barack
Obama’s desk – and we all know that all that needs to be done on
Monday is for him to sign it into a law.The President gave the following statement, as quoted by Ben Feller of The Associated Press and posted on The Washington Post: “Today, we answered the call of history.” The President says further: “I want to thank every member of Congress who stood up tonight with courage and conviction to make health care reform a reality. I know this wasn’t an easy vote for a lot of people. But it was the right vote.” The President addressed the nation from the East Room of the White House.
CNN called the passing of the bill “a historic victory” for the President, as health care reform is his number one domestic priority. As expected, all Republican representatives voted against the bill, as did some Democrats.
The health care bill is deemed as the most significant overhaul of federal health care guarantees since the institution of Medicare and Medicaid. The bill will require most Americans to have health insurance or risk being charged with a fine. Large employers are required to provide coverage or pay penalties, and insurance companies can no longer deny coverage due to gender or pre-existing conditions.
Tags: barack obama health, health bill, health legislation, US health care