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Health Care Reform Bill Passes House

 
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The House on Sunday passed the healthcare reform bill -- the most sweeping change to the health care system since Medicare more than four decades ago. The passage means that 30 million Americans without insurance will now receive coverage, reports CNN.com. And, the legislation, which was President Barack Obama's top domestic policy issue, will reportedly ban insurers from denying coverage to those with pre-existing medical conditions, reports MSNBC.com. The legislation passed by a 219-212 vote.

Democrats hailed the bill as historic and similar to the implementation of Social Security and Medicare. Republicans unanimously voted against the bill, calling it a government takeover of healthcare and stating it would saddle the nation with debt and weaken Medicare, the New York Times reports. Thirty-four Democrats voted against the bill.

The bill already cleared the Senate and will now be sent to Obama who will likely sign the bill Tuesday, reports foxnews.com. A companion package of changes is still pending the approval of the Senate, which is expected to occur late Sunday or early Monday.

Some of the basic tenants for the health care overall according to MSNBC.com include:

Americans will be required to purchase insurance and face penalties if they refuse;

Most of the money in the bill will be reserved to help families making up to $88,000 a year pay their premiums;

Children up to age 26 would be able to stay on their parents' plans;

Medicaid will be expanded;

Insurance companies will come under new regulation and will not be able to place lifetime dollar limits on policies, be prohibited from canceling policies when a policyholder becomes sick or deny coverage to children with pre-existing conditions.

Sources: Health care latest: House passes legislation: CNN
House sends health care bill to Obama's desk: MSNBC
House Votes to Pass Senate Health Care Bill: FoxNews
House Approves Landmark Bill to Extend Health Care to Millions: New York Times

Add a Comment20 Comments

EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

@seedandy
You realize illegal immigrants are actually BENEFICIAL to the economy, right? And you surely must realize they are arguably the hardest workers in our country right now? The rest of your post is so naive and ignorant I feel there is no reason to comment on it. But I'll ask, what exactly do you provide for our country, that an illegal immigrant doesn't?

June 10, 2010 - 10:34am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Many people do a lot of work for little money and a few get a lot of money for little work.
The few doing work for lots of money depend on many doing a lot of work for little money.
We'd all be smart to keep everyone healthy, while we play the game.

April 30, 2010 - 7:01pm
(reply to Anonymous)

And what is this game?

May 1, 2010 - 1:42am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

These are probably some of the funniest/unfounded comments I've ever read. Enjoy being in the dark for the rest of your lives, morons.
-signed, someone who lives happily and healthy in a country with government provided health care

April 16, 2010 - 10:04am
(reply to Anonymous)

To Anon - posting on April 16th @ 9:04 a.m. -

You obviously have a strong opinion about this. Why don't you share your side, and why you made comments as you did, but not be rude, put down others' opinions, and without the unprofessional name calling. We are all entitled to our own opinions; just as you are. Try it again, but without using ill-tempered words...

April 16, 2010 - 9:01pm

President Obama's health care plan seems like the ideal thing to do, but regardless, this plan seems so rushed. Time needs to be put into this plan in order to refine it. We don't want our health care system to turn out like Great Britain's system where patients have to wait up to SIX months to see a doctor. So many other things need to be taken into account. If we rush this any further, there is a great chance of it not working out the way we would like it to.

March 26, 2010 - 1:29am
(reply to thebeacon)

I so agree - this is a plan being 'rushed'. When many of the general public read the Health Care Plan bill; I wonder how many can even understand so many parts of it; i.e., what it is truly saying. This concerns me. I know some things can be read easily, but I don't understand, myself, what is said in certain 'sections' of the bill. I consider myself 'smart' enough, but I figure if I don't get parts - how will others? Like Page 50 and sections, Page 59 and Sections 21-24, Page 42, and so on. I have had a friend emal me about these, and the interpretation by her is making her scared; and me too, if her understanding correct. So, 'rushed'? Yes. I get back to my previous comment; and that, we are not getting to the heart of the problems with doctors, hospitals, insurance companies, and Pharm. Corporations. We are missing the true culprits at hand here. This bothers me this still overlooked.
On a side note (but an example with hospitals and charges). Hospitals are in the 'profit and marketing business'. They will charge more on a bill so they can pay for newer equipment (like the 'Robotic Arm' for Hysterectomies --- and don't even get me started on the thousands of unnecessary Hysts. performed each year), but we, the public, pay for all this, and this is my point with ceilings; so that they and the insurance companies cannot charge astronomical amounts. Does anybody get my point?

March 26, 2010 - 4:12pm

One person made a comment about Medicare that is for older people. I can't believe some people think we didn't need health re-form. I have always had health insurance I'm just one of the fortunate ones and very blessed. There are those people that can't afford health insrance or have a pre-existing condition that can't get health insurace. For those of you that can't think outside of your perfect little world maybe you should start!!!!!!!!

March 25, 2010 - 11:17am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

>Americans will be required to purchase insurance and face penalties if they refuse

I refuse. Will they lock me up for my own good?

March 23, 2010 - 10:04pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

You know this is going to destroy our ecomony! But apparently that is what they want.I'm wondering what's next? We are trying to be turned into a communist country. I hope that everyone that voted for this bill knows they sold their soul to the devil. And hopefully will be voted OUT!

March 22, 2010 - 6:47am
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