Late Saturday night, the House of Representatives passed its own version of the health care reform bill that has formed the centerpiece of the Obama Administration's legislative agenda thus far. The Affordable Health Care for America Act (HR 3962) would ensure that 95–96% of US citizens receive affordable health care.
The final roll call tally counted 220 yeas over 215 nays, just two more than the 218 votes the Democratic leadership needed to push the legislation through. 39 Democrats voted against the bill, 31 of which represent districts that were won by 2008 Republican presidential nominee John McCain last year. Only one Republican, second-term Representative Joseph Cao of Louisiana, voted for the bill.
The final version of the health care reform bill did provide for a public option, but also inclued the Stupak Amendment, a late addition from Democratic Congressman Bart Stupak of Minnesota that stripped any federal funding for abortion procedures from the final bill. The move was intended to help Democrats from moderate and conservative districts to join in support of the bill without alienating their constituents.
The Senate will now consider its own version of the health care reform bill, though a date for the final floor vote has not yet been set. The two bills differ significantly, but both currently provide for a public option. The Senate version, perhaps most notably, contains an "opt-out" provision that would allow individual states to decline to participate in the government-run health care program. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says he wants to move the legislation along quickly, but has cautioned that it may not come to a final vote before the new year.
The Congressional Budget Office's estimated cost of the House bill is just over $1 trillion, though Speaker Nancy Pelosi has pledged that the plan will result in "not one dime added to the deficit." The program would be paid for by cuts in other entitlements, like Medicare, as many seniors currently under the latter program would be shifted to more comprehensive coverage under the new plan.
US President Barack Obama says that he is "confident" that the Senate will be able to come to an agreement and pass a completed bill once the two versions have been passed and are merged in conference committee. Obama added that he hopes to sign a "comprehensive health insurance reform into law by the end of the year."
