Landmark health reform legislation passes one hurdle, House approves on narrow margin

WASHINGTON (AP) - The House has acted. Now it’s up to the Senate to hash out health care legislation. Late Saturday, with near unanimous Republican opposition, the House passed the landmark overhaul that seeks to cover millions more Americans while ending some insurance industry practices.  The vote was 220 to 215, with just one Republican voting in favor of the bill.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says his chamber is “energized” after the pivotal vote, saying lawmakers “stand
closer than ever to” overhauling health care.
   
Republicans deride it as “a jobs-killing, tax-hiking, deficit-exploding” bill.

The House version of the bill includes a provision for the government to sell insurance. It would require most Americans to carry insurance and provide subsidies to those who can’t afford it. Large companies would have to offer coverage to their employees.

Obama praises House for health overhaul vote

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama is hailing House passage of a health care overhaul, calling it a “historic” step toward the kind of reform Americans have sought for decades. He says the measure will provide “stability and security for Americans who have insurance; quality, affordable options for those who don’t; and lower costs for American families and American businesses.“|  He telephoned House Speaker Nancy Pelosi with congratulations, urged the Senate to follow suit and voiced confidence he will be able to sign an overhaul before the year is out.  He also placed calls to leaders of the American Nurses Association, the American Medical Association and the seniors lobby AARP whose endorsements helped put the House bill over the top.