The Visor

House passes divisive health care bill

November 23, 2009

Ever since President Obama was elected, the country has been buzzing about healthcare reform. Last Saturday, the House Democrats finally achieved their goal and passed the Affordable Health Care for America Act.

“Thanks to the hard work of the House, we are just two steps away from achieving health insurance reform in America,” Obama said in a statement from Camp David. “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.”

With a vote of 220-215 and 218 votes needed, the House was truly divided on this important issue. A total of 39 Democrats voted against the 1990-page bill, while only one Republican voted in favor of it. It is estimated that around 96% of Americans under age 65 will be covered, and couples earning over $18,700 a year must have insurance or will suffer a 2.5% income tax. The plan will include a government option available in 2013 and will cost anywhere from $894 billion to $1.2 trillion over 10 years.

An amendment was passed largely thanks to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops that explicitly ensured that funds would not be put towards abortion. However, for many Congressmen, more than just abortion needed to be eliminated from the bill.

“We are going to have a complete government takeover of our health care system faster than you can say, ‘This is making me sick,’” said Representative Candice Miller, R- Mich.

Many are also concerned that the plan fails to lower costs and will instead increase the federal deficit.

However, the bill is not a definite law yet; it still has to pass the Senate and face thousands of Americans opposed to it. The bill is available online at http://docs.house.gov/rules/health/111_ahcaa.pdf.

Tags:

 Email This Post        Print This Post