In an historic vote along party lines, the House passed last night landmark health insurance reform legislation which will see some 32 million more Americans have access to health insurance in the U.S. The bill which passed the House with 219 Democrats in favor of the legislation and 212 Republicans saying “nay”, now makes it way to President Obama’s desk for signature.
In remarks following the momentous passage of the health insurance reform bill, Obama said that it demonstrated a victory not for any one party, but a victory for the American people and a victory for common sense.
“Today’s vote answers the dreams of so many who have fought for this reform. To every unsung American who took the time to sit down and write a letter or type out an e-mail hoping your voice would be heard — it has been heard tonight,” Obama said. “To the untold numbers who knocked on doors and made phone calls, who organized and mobilized out of a firm conviction that change in this country comes not from the top down, but from the bottom up — let me reaffirm that conviction: This moment is possible because of you.”
Obama is expected to sign the health care bill tomorrow and within 30-90 days, key provisions which relate to (i) helping seniors with prescription drug benefits, or closing the donut hole (ii) allowing children with pre-existing conditions to obtain health insurance and (iii) tax credits for small business for employees’ insurance, are expected to begin to take effect.
The bill, which makes provision for every American to have health insurance by 2014 or pay a penalty, passed without a single Republican vote and is expected to be challenged by that party. Thirty four Democrats voted against the bill.
With the passage of the reconciliation bill in the House, tomorrow, debate will commence in the Senate on the amendments to the legislation, where a vote is expected by the end of the week. It has been reported that Harry Reid, (D-Nevada), Senate Majority Leader has already secured a majority to support the bill’s passage, although many observers predict that Republicans will undertake a series of parliamentary maneuvers in order to delay adoption of the amendments.
More broadly, Republicans have said that they intend to repeal the legislation and to challenge the constitutionality of the bill. They have also said that they would be working with various states to nullify key provisions.
The health insurance reform bill comes with a price tag of $938 billion over the next ten years and is expected to be financed from tax increases and reductions to Medicare.
Whether the Republicans can repeal the bill will really depend on how quickly Americans see the benefits or the hits from the bill. While people may get mad that something is being forced on them when the laws are being made, if repealing it involves taking something away, many will fight any such repeal. This is likely a factor that the Democrats will be counting on in trying to get some aspects of the bill active immediately.