General

A big step closer to health care reform

The House passes the President’s bill 220 to 215—with a blow to abortion rights supporters

Late Saturday night the U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed a sweeping health care bill that will allow 36 million more Americans to have insurance coverage and will include a government health care program. Only one Republican, Anh “Joseph” Cao of Louisiana, voted for the bill. And 39 Democrats voted against. During the last few days President Barack Obama and Speaker Nancy Pelosi won over some waffling Democrats. One concession was made to the anti-abortion contingent. The bill currently restricts any insurance company that receives federal money to cover abortions. But pro-choice Democrats will have a chance to try and change that wording as the bill moves through the Senate.

New York Times

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