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Washington » In a victory for President Barack Obama, the Democratic-controlled House narrowly passed landmark health care legislation Saturday night to expand coverage to tens of millions who lack it and place tough new restrictions on the insurance industry. 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 the run-up to a final vote, conservatives from the two political parties joined forces to impose tough new restrictions on abortion coverage in insurance policies to be sold to many individuals and small groups. They prevailed on a roll call of 240-194.
Ironically, that only solidified support for the legislation, clearing the way for conservative Democrats to vote for it.
The legislation would require most Americans to carry insurance and provide federal subsidies to those who otherwise could not afford it. Large companies would have to offer coverage to their employees. Both consumers and companies would be slapped with penalties if they defied the government's mandates.
Insurance industry practices such as denying coverage on the basis of pre-existing medical conditions would be banned, and insurers would no longer be able to charge higher premiums on the basis of gender or medical history. In a further slap, the industry would lose its exemption from federal antitrust restrictions on price fixing and market allocation.
At its core, the measure would create a federally regulated marketplace where consumers could shop for coverage. In the bill's most controversial provision, the government would sell insurance, although the Congressional Budget Office forecasts that premiums for it would be more expensive than for policies sold by private firms.
A cheer went up from the Democratic side of the House when the bill gained 218 votes, a majority. Moments later, Democrats counted down the final seconds of the voting period in unison, and let loose an even louder roar when Pelosi grabbed the gavel and declared, "The bill is passed."
The bill drew the votes of 219 Democrats and Rep. Joseph Cao, a first-term Republican who holds an overwhelmingly Democratic seat in New Orleans. Opposed were 176 Republicans and 39 Democrats.
In his written statement, Obama praised the House's action and said, "Now the United States Senate must follow suit and pass its version of the legislation. I am absolutely confident it will."
But with little doubt about the outcome, the rhetoric lacked the fire of last summer's town hall meetings, when some critics accused Democrats of plotting "death panels" to hasten the demise of senior citizens.
To pay for the expansion of coverage, the bill cuts Medicare's projected spending by more than $400 billion over a decade. It also imposes a tax surcharge of 5.4 percent on income over $500,000 in the case of individuals and $1 million for families.
The bill was estimated to reduce federal deficits by about $104 billion over a decade, although it lacked two of the key cost-cutting provisions under consideration in the Senate, and its longer-term impact was far from clear.
Amendment blocks federal funding for abortions
The House has voted to prohibit coverage of abortions in a new government-run health care plan that Democrats want to compete with private insurers.
The 240-194 vote was a blow to liberals who would let the Obama administration decide whether to cover abortions in a government-provided insurance plan. Sixty-four Democrats joined 176 Republicans in favor of the prohibition.
The vote was on an amendment to a Democratic-written bill to provide health care insurance coverage to 36 million Americans who don't have it now. The amendment also prevents private insurers from covering abortions for anyone getting federal subsidies to help pay their premiums.
Key details of Democrats' health overhaul bill
The House health care bill passed Saturday would do the following:
» Require most Americans to purchase health insurance or pay a fine.
»Expand health care coverage to 36 million more people over the next decade.
»Require employers with payrolls above $500,000 to provide insurance to their employees or pay a fine.
»Prohibit insurance companies from denying coverage because of pre-existing medical conditions.
»End premium disparities between men and women.
»Impose a 5.4 percent income tax surcharge on income above $500,000 annually for individuals and above $1 million annually for households.
»Establish a government-run insurance plan to compete with private insurers beginning in 2013.
»Cost $1.2 trillion over 10 years.
»Cut Medicare spending by more than $400 billion over 10 years.
The Associated Press
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Have a question about reform?
»I Have you heard something you don't understand or you'd like us to investigate? Send your questions to hcreform@sltrib.com and we will answer them in print and online at sltrib.com/health
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How did Utah vote? A trio of nos
»R Utah's House members voted against passage of the Affordable Health Care for America Act.
Rob Bishop » R, 'no'
Jim Matheson » D, 'no'
Jason Chaffetz » R, 'no'
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GOP objections slow bill's march toward passage
Washington » House Democrats were on the cusp of passing health-care legislation Saturday. The Republicans objected. Often.
The debate was only a few minutes old when Rep. Lois Capps, D-Calif., rose to speak. "I ask unanimous consent ... "
"I object!" shouted Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., the leader of House conservatives.
" ... to revise and extend, ... " Capps continued.
"I object! I object!" Price hollered.
Capps tried again. "I ask unanimous consent to revise my ... "
"I object!"
" ... remarks ... "
"I object! I object! I object! I object!"
The presiding officer pointed out that Capps had not said anything that could be objected to.
Capps started over. "I ask unanimous consent to revise my remarks ... "
"I object!" cried Price, sounding like Ned Flanders on "The Simpsons." "I object! I object! I object! I object!"
" ... care denied because of a pre-existing condition ... "
"I object! I object! I object!"
In the first 40 minutes of Saturday's debate on the landmark bill, representatives from the minority party objected - or threatened to object - no fewer than 75 times, throwing in 35 "parliamentary inquiries" for good measure. The debate was delayed by nearly 90 minutes.
The Washington Post
