'Historic' health bill passed by House

Could ObamaCare become a reality?

The House of Representatives have approved President Obama's health bill in a close vote of 220-215.

President Obama hailed the decision as 'historic' and said he was "absolutely confident" the Senate would pass its own version, and that his long planned healthcare reforms would become law by the end of the year, despite the much publicised opposition. If passed by the Senate, Obama's health-care bill will extend coverage to 36 million uninsured Americans and make it affordable for 96 percent of the population.

Controversy

For the past six months, the US has been divided over the healthcare bill which at a cost of over $900 million, would allow Americans to get health care without resorting to expensive insurance firms. However, the American Republican Party and critics of Obama's scheme have deemed it as 'socialised medicine' citing Britain and Canada's government-funded systems as failures of the plan.

However with the passing of the bill in the House, it now represents potentially the biggest change to the American health-care system since it was created.

In now lies in the hands of the Senate. The Democratic party need 60 out of 100 votes to bring it to a final votes... and currently, there are only 57 Democrats and two independents in the Senate. However, last month two Republicans indicated that could approve a compromised version of the health bill giving the Democrats traction.

The House vote saw 219 Democrats and one Republican - Joseph Cao from New Orleans - support the bill, with 176 Republicans and 39 Democrats opposing it.

Upon hearing the result, President Obama said, "Tonight, in an historic vote, the House of Representatives passed a bill that would finally make real the promise of quality, affordable healthcare for the American people.

"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."

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said, "I thank the president for his tremendous leadership, because without President Obama in the White House, this victory would not have been possible."

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