House approves landmark healthcare reform bill
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After a day of testy, sometimes repetitive debate, the House tonight passed a landmark healthcare bill that would create a new role for the federal government in supplying insurance for almost all Americans.
Cheers broke out when the vote went over the magic number of 218 needed to pass the legislation. The final vote was 220-215.
In passing the bill, the Democratic-controlled House handed President Obama a major victory on the issue that has become the centerpiece of his domestic agenda. The Senate is considering its version of healthcare reform, and the two plans will have to be reconciled before a final bill goes to the president’s desk.
The debate began around 9 a.m. Eastern and lasted until the final tally was announced more than 11 hours later. For hours, lawmakers spoke in one- or two-minute bursts, giving familiar arguments — but the debate became more raucous and politically pointed as the day wore on.
Among the key points made by Republicans were that the bill was too costly and would be a financial burden on future generations. Democrats countered that the bill would provide a public option for insurance and would significantly expand coverage.
More details are on latimes.com
--Michael Muskal
