Health Care Reform Bill is “A Go” with an Abortion Restriction, Moves to Senate

Well it’s about time:

The biggest overhaul of America’s medical system since Medicare took a big step forward Saturday night, narrowly passing the House with a controversial amendment to restrict coverage of abortion. Democrats cheered and high-fived each other in the House chamber after lawmakers voted 220 to 215 to pass the landmark measure at 11:12 p.m. A lone GOPer, Rep. Joseph Cao of Louisiana, backed the bill, while 39 Dems defected.”Oh, what a night!” declared House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who was forced to make major concessions to conservatives, including adding a controversial abortion restriction. “Tonight, in a historic vote, the House of Representatives passed a bill that would finally make real the promise of quality, affordable health care for the American people,” President Obama said after the vote. The bill nearly failed when a deal with conservative Dems collapsed and Pelosi was forced to let them bring up an amendment to restrict abortion coverage. The move enraged liberals, but most agreed to stay onboard and Obama traveled to the House Saturday to seal the deal with a personal plea.

The bill proposes to spend $1.055 trillion to add 36 million Americans to the insurance rolls, largely paid for with a 5.4% surtax on the top 0.3% of earners and cutting Medicare Advantage programs.

A $61 billion GOP substitute bill failed after Democrats mocked it, noting that nonpartisan number crunchers found it did little to help people get insurance. The next step is for the Senate to pass its bill.

“The United States Senate must follow suit and pass its version,” Obama said. “I am absolutely confident it will, and I look forward to signing comprehensive health insurance reform into law by the end of the year.”

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