A divided House approves sweeping health reform legislation, 220-215

Nov 9 2009

After months of intense debate and negotiations, the House of Representatives approved the most ambitious effort ever to change the country's health care system, with 219 Democrats and one Republican voting for the bill and 39 Democrats voting against the bill. Democrats in the chamber cheered the final tally.

The Associated Press reports that Speaker Nancy Pelosi "likened the bill to the creation of Social Security in 1935 and Medicare 30 years later."

"'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,' said Rep. John Dingell, the 83-year-old Michigan lawmaker who has introduced national health insurance in every Congress since succeeding his father in 1955. ... Over all, the bill envisioned the most sweeping set of changes to the health care system in more than a generation, and Democrats said it marked the culmination of a campaign that Harry Truman began when he sat in the White House 60 years ago" (Espo, 11/7).

The Washington Post: "The bill would for the first time require every individual to obtain insurance and would try to make it affordable by vastly expanding Medicaid and creating a marketplace where people could receive federal subsidies to buy coverage from private companies or from a new government-run insurance plan. Though some people would not benefit -- including about 6 million illegal immigrants, by congressional estimates -- the measure would virtually close the coverage gap for people who do not have access to insurance through an employer" (Montgomery and Murray, 11/7). 

CNN reports on the anti-abortion amendment to the bill that got support from members of both parties, one that "prohibits federal funds for abortion services in the public option and in the so-called insurance 'exchange' the bill would create. The vote passed 240-194. The amendment was introduced by anti-abortion Democrats. Its consideration was considered a big win for them and for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, which used its power -- especially with conservative Democrats in swing congressional districts -- to help force other Democratic leaders to permit a vote that most of them oppose. The prohibition, introduced by Democratic members, including Rep. Brad Ellsworth, D-Indiana, and Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Michigan, would exclude cases of rape, incest or if the mother's life is in danger" (11/7).

Roll Call reports that proponents hailed "the plan to expand affordable care" while opponents warned "against a massive government takeover of health care." One after another, Republicans lined up to bash the bill for mimicking expensive, government-run health care systems. 'We should never support a children-bankrupting, health-care-rationing, freedom-crushing, $1 trillion government takeover of our health care system,' said Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas).

"Democrats, meanwhile, leaned on personal experiences to highlight the need for a health care system overhaul. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), a breast cancer survivor, said if she were to lose her job today, 'I could not buy health insurance coverage tomorrow because I have a pre-existing condition'" (Bendery, 11/7).

The Wall Street Journal reports that President Obama visited Capitol Hill just before debate started: "According to an aide, the president told the closed-door meeting of lawmakers; 'It's tempting to say, 'I'm tired, it's hard, I'm getting beat up back in the district, it's just not worth it.' ' But he called on them to reject that view, saying Democrats would be seen as failures if they don't pass the measure. 'I am absolutely confident that when I sign this bill in the Rose Garden, each and every one of you will be able to look back and say, 'This was my finest moment in politics,' ' the president was quoted as saying" (Yoest and Adamy, 7/11).

McClatchy lists 10 ways the House bill would change health insurance, including creation of health insurance "exchanges or marketplaces," barring insurers from "denying or limiting coverage because of pre-existing conditions," an expansion of Medicaid, the government insurance program for the poor and the requirement, by 2013, that nearly everybody have health insurance.  (Lightman, 11/7).

Roll Call in a separate story: "The House Saturday evening rejected a Republican alternative health care reform bill on a largely party line vote, 176-258. One Republican, Rep. Timothy Johnson (R-Ill.), joined 257 Democrats in opposing the GOP legislation. House Republicans released their 219-page bill on Wednesday after weeks of criticism from Democrats for assailing the majority's health care reform bill without releasing a plan of their own" (Kucinich, 11/7). 

The Hill made note of protests: "The visitors gallery in the House chamber remained packed on Saturday evening as lawmakers on both sides of the healthcare debate pleaded their case on the floor below.  ... Many visitors had participated in a rally against the healthcare bill earlier Saturday afternoon, called at the last minute by Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa). ... King seized on the energy generated from protesters who traveled to the Captiol on Thursday and held a mini-sequel on Saturday afternoon. Though half as many people showed up at King's rally, on the East front of the Capitol, the outrage and frustration was equally as intense." (Hooper, 11/7). 

San Francisco Chronicle: "As a matter of policy and politics, the 10-year, $1.05 trillion legislation is among the most complex and difficult Congress has ever considered. ... Yet for all its significance, House passage would be but one step along a path to a White House signing ceremony that remains fraught with uncertainty. Senate action has stalled, and if it restarts, a long debate could widen already deep differences between the two chambers over new taxes and mandates on individuals to buy coverage and employers to offer it" (Lochhead, 11/7).