House passes health care bill

WASHINGTON D.C. - The Democratic-controlled House narrowly passed landmark health care legislation Saturday night to expand coverage.

Republican opposition was nearly unanimous.

The 220-215 vote cleared the way for the Senate to begin debate on the issue that has come to overshadow all others in Congress.

A triumphant Speaker Nancy Pelosi likened the legislation to the passage of Social Security in 1935 and Medicare 30 years later.

"It provides coverage for 96 percent of Americans. It offers everyone, regardless of health or income, the peace of mind that comes from knowing they will have access to affordable health care when they need it," said Rep. John Dingell, the 83-year-old Michigan lawmaker who has introduced national health insurance in every Congress since succeeding his father in 1955.

In a rare move, President Barack Obama traveled to Capitol Hill this morning to rally Democrats to the cause. It underscores just how pivotal this moment is for the president and his party.

The House took the first step towards universal health care becomes reality, but it didn't come without debate.

"If the Republicans health care plan was a plan for a fire department, they would rush into a burning building and they would rush out and leave everybody behind," said Democrat George Miller of California.

"Republicans have offered better solutions all year to the major bills that have come to this floor," Republican John Boehner of Ohio said.

House Republicans and Democrats struggled to find a comprise on a health care bill.  The new bill will require most Americans to carry insurance and provide money for those who can't afford it.

"The bill before us in my view is a big government take over of our health care system," Boehner added.

The bill is projected to expand coverage to 36 million uninsured, resulting in 96 percent of the nation's eligible population having insurance. The president asked Democrats to "answer the call of history".

"Those without insurance now do not view themselves as enjoying some freedoms," said Congressman Bobby Scott from Virginia's 3rd District. "They want insurance."

Democrats hold a 258-177 majority in the House, but about 20 democrats said Saturday they would not vote for the bill, including Glenn Nye of Virginia.

"I think it's critically important that we pass meaningful health care reform, but at the same time I think it's important that we pass the right bill," Nye said.

Nye feels the bill would hurt families of small businesses and take money away from our local children's hospital.

"The way the current health care bill is written CHKD could lose 20 million dollars in funding," Nye added.

The President said Democrats have a 70-year history of creating and defending programs like Social Security and Medicare. He went on to say this bill is going to define the difference between the Republican and Democratic parties for decades.

The Senate will soon vote on a similar legislation.