In a rare Saturday session, the House of Representatives passed a health insurance reform bill, the first step in what could still be a long process in bringing changes to the American health care system. The bill’s passage is the first of its kind in decades, and a victory of sorts for President Obama who has made health care reform one of his top priorities.
In an e-mail to his supporters, President Obama said “you and millions of your fellow supporters didn’t just witness history tonight, you helped make it. … Tonight’s vote brought every American closer to the secure, affordable care we need.”
The Senate will likely vote on health insurance reform in the coming weeks, and if a bill is passed it is probable that there will be differences between the two legislative bodies’ versions. Those differences will have to be sorted out and voted on before any bill is signed into law.
More information about the administration’s health care goals is available on the White House Web site.
Comments (16)
john goodman
Location: long beach california usa
10 November 2009 at 08:08 EST
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now obama MUST bring ALL our military men and women back home.
we must end this war in iraq and afghanistan.
the republicans have FAILED the last 9 years.
Iam happy that McCain is NOT the presdient of this nation.
Toni
15 November 2009 at 13:39 EST
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Hi John. I am from Louisiana, and i come from a military family, therefore i agree whole-heartedly with your comments. Bring our men and women back home enough has been done and still nothing accomplished. ( 9years seems like for-ever) enough blood-shed and i also agree about Mc cain.
Toni
jews for obama
Location: ISRAEL 4 OBAMA !!!
10 November 2009 at 18:01 EST
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we jews in Israel are praying for obama.
Obama will save america and Israel and palstine.
I and all my jewish brothers and sisters are praying for obama. God almighty protect obama from all evil and his enemies
obama is our future to all jews and non jews. obama is a great person
Toni
15 November 2009 at 13:32 EST
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Hi Isreal, I too am happy to know that you are in favor for President Obama, we all need an attitude adjustment sometimes, I am on your side and hope to reach all the world one day really soon, I too think that Obama is doing a great job and making peace around the world and also making better trade around the globe. We all need to support his efforts in helping all of us as people. We (the american people) need to get back to more religious aspects of our teachings and we all need to understand a little more about each other, I also pray for Obama to overcome this great depression the world is in now. but we all know that it will take some time to complete his mission, but as a whole we will make world peace and make better partners in our countries future, it is my belief, and i pray harder for Obama to be the president to turn everything around and help others as others help us. I hope we all get what this world needs and that is peace and harmony with each other and for all. God Bless you all. and may peace be with you all.
Jitendra K
Location: Gurgaon, India.
12 November 2009 at 11:30 EST
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Obama’s performance so far is best described by a cliché - paralysis by analysis.
To come into his own he must listen to his inner voice in preference to that of his advisers. People voted for him for the vision he projected. To abandon that would be betraying the trust of those who voted for him.
Jews for the truth
Location: Israel "jews for the truth"
12 November 2009 at 18:03 EST
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The shooter was a muslim thats why so called “white America” and Right wing zionist jews and fox news will attack good muslims and arabs
BUT a white american can go on a murder spree . You will hear very less about that white person on the news.
ANN
Location: NIGERIA
13 November 2009 at 07:10 EST
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In my opinion, I thing President Barack Obama is doing great. It takes time for notable changes to take effect.
He needs the support of Americans instead of the constant criticism that is trailing his performance.
Give the guy a break. Afterall, these 10 months in office, he has achieved much more than some Presidents who spent years in office.
Once more, Americans, he needs your support to succeed. Stop seeing the colour of his skin, instead see the man behind it who is ready to take America and the world to the next level.
Toni
15 November 2009 at 13:42 EST
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Ann: You are so right, and i agree with you 100%. I have been to Nigeria many times and Africa, and i see what is happening there. Obama has a plan and no one knows it, he is getting the job done correctly. He is a silent worker,and seems to be pretty smart in his ways, i truly believe he will do the right thing for us. and every one will benefit from his efforts. Thanks toni
wilson
Location: benin relpulic
14 November 2009 at 08:37 EST
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i have soak this dream in mind of puting an end to wold war that it why each us must come out with owr qulity of talent in each coner for wolrd peace like the this i have for you obama i am ready to put my qulitative talent to your govement for better life and better days of no pain and no war if you have hunderds of solders to try get in touch with me to let you have the viwe of life tatoon bullet proffe which i can help the nation with if not my tatoon mark i wolud have been dead buy now this real i have been shote three time but not no sign of gun shot in my body that is why think about this
Josphat
Location: Kenya
17 November 2009 at 02:41 EST
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There is one thing that am sure of. That at the end of it all the health bill will be passed.
http://www.kenya-technology.com
Thomas E. Strunk
Location: USA
22 November 2009 at 21:00 EST
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After reading the above it is obvious these writers are NOT interested in the progress of the USA nor peace in the world. All they seem to want is to support Islam and tear down our wonderful and free country. In my humble opinion they should all move to Russia or China where they do not have the USA freedoms. If you don’t love our country-go elsewhere and spread your lack of love for peace among the uneducated…..the abuse of the uneducated in the USA is what got our current politicians elected and they are all doing all they can to ruin us financially. They have a stupid lack of common sense and simple mathmatics…the current health bill makes this apparent.
Chee Lo
Location: Navajo native americans
23 November 2009 at 16:32 EST
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TO THOMAS E. STRUNK. YOU CALL YOUR SELF AN AMERICAN BUT YOU ARE NOT ONE .OUR PEOPLE AND OUR FAMILIES HAVE BEEN FIGHTING TERROIST LIKE YOU THOMAS SINCE 1492 WHEN YOU CAME TO OUR LAND AND MURDER AND KILLED OUR PEOPLE. SO YOU TOO ARE A TERROIST THOMAS JUST LIKE OSAMA .
Thomas E. Strunk
Location: USA
28 November 2009 at 15:06 EST
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Mr. Chee Lo, you are correct regarding the disasterous actions of Europeans when “settling” the USA. That does not excuse this current Pres. from misuse of his so-called college intelligence by glibly leading the poor of our nation into electing him on the vague impossibliy to fulfill promises supposedly beneficial to them but instead is undermining even their ability to find/keep jobs. Taking from the so-called rich and giving to the so-called poor is one quick way of ruining a nation - all of our politicians should be run out of office for doing this very thing. Thank you for your fair reminder. Maybe our politicians will read and learn too!
Josh Gilbert
Location: arizona
23 November 2009 at 16:52 EST
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I did not vote for McCain. I knew if McCain became presdient it would be the end of America. the GOP have already burn america to the ground.
George Stephen Ratnayake
Location: Sri Lanka
25 November 2009 at 09:46 EST
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Your Excellancy B Obama the great of the decade.
You will achive all your goals and bring about a new US policy for the betterment of the Universe.
Our Hon. President Mr Mahinda Rajapakse
sloved the most deadliest terrorism and broght the nation under one flag.
Your Excellancy will bring will bring the entire universe under the peace flag.
May the almighty give you all the strength
wealth and the power.
“God loves you and loves all”
God Bless
Jimbo
Location: USA
28 November 2009 at 20:20 EST
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In the dead of night, Speaker Pelosi rammed through the House of Representatives her plan for a government takeover of health care.
* Pelosi health care bill is 1,990 pages long, costs nearly $1.3 trillion, includes more than $729 billion in new taxes, and is overwhelmingly opposed by the American people.
* Speaker Pelosi promises her bill will lower health care costs, but a new report by the Obama Administration finds that the Pelosi bill actually INCREASES costs by $289 billion over the next decade.
* On top of this massive new spending, taxes and debt, Speaker Pelosi is pushing forward with a “doc fix” bill that will add more than $200 billion to the deficit over the next ten years.
* The “doc fix” is an important part of the health care debate, yet Speaker Pelosi did not include it in her health care bill to disguise the real cost of her health care plan.
* This represents more of the same budget gimmicks Democrats in Washington have used to deceive the American people about the true costs of their liberal agenda.
* The new study by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) also found that the Pelosi health care bill will make it difficult for seniors and employees to keep their current health care, “possibly jeopardizing access to care for beneficiaries.”
* The CMS study confirms what every American knows: the Pelosi health care bill will raise health care costs and force millions of Americans to lose their current health coverage.
* One recent WellPoint study estimated that younger Americans could see their health care premiums triple and a family of four could see their health care premiums more than double.
* House Republicans have a simpler and less expensive health care plan that reduces health care costs by letting individuals buy health care across state lines, allowing small businesses to pool together to purchase health care at a lower cost, and by reining in junk lawsuits.
* The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office estimates that the House Republican common-sense plan will lower health care premiums by up to 10 percent and reduce deficits by $68 billion over ten years.
House Republicans stand by the American people in support of responsible health care reform that lowers costs and offers greater access to affordable health care.
* President Obama and Speaker Pelosi need to start over on their health care plan. House Republicans are ready to work on bipartisan solutions to health care reform.