Health Care Reform Bill - passes in the House - Senate to follow

In a sweeping victory, the House of Representatives voted on the health care reform bill just moments ago with a vote of 220-215, giving President Obama a crucial victory. This bill represents the largest health policy change in four decades. It truely is a victory, but at the same time, you must be cautious, as the Democratic-controlled U.S. House of Representatives rejected an alternate Republican health plan. Now there will be mounds and mounds of debates on the issue, as this is the most talked about issue for the last 30+ years. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi compared the legislation to the passage of Social Security in 1935 and Medicare 30 years later. President Obama stated "I look forward to signing it into law by the end of the year"

According to Rep. John Dingell who heavily favors national health insurance mentioned "It provides coverage for 96 percent of Americans. It offers everyone, regardless of health or income, the peace of mind that comes from knowing they will have access to affordable health care when they need it."

The bill passed in the house because both Democratic conservatives and Republican conservatives voted for and passed an amendment in a tally of 240-194 votes that would impose tough new restrictions on abortion coverage in insurance policies to be sold to many individuals and small groups. Because of this amendment Democratic conservatives voted for the bill. The amendment basically states that there will be no federal funds would be used for abortion, but in cases of rape, incest and the case of a mother in danger would be the exceptions to the rule.

The new law, once in effect would require that most Americans would be required to carry insurance, and provide federal subsidies to people would could not afford it any other way. Insurance industries could no longer deny coverage with the reason being a preexisting medical condition. Higher insurance premiums for people by insurance companies based on gender or medical history will be a thing of the past.

The health care plan would create a federal marketplace that would allow consumers to shop for their own coverage. The federal government could sell the insurance, but most agree that such a move would make the costs go higher.

President Obama praised the House and said "now the united States Senate must follow suit and pass its version of the legislation. I am absolutely confident it will."