It isn't yet Law but hopefully America will now join the rest of the Developed First World in recognising
that Universal Health Care is as fundamental a Right in a Developed country as Universal Education.
It is sad about the Abortion issue though but I suppose if that's what it takes to provide tens of millions of Americans with access to a doctor, it is a
price worth paying. At least it will still be available for rape, incest and to save a woman's life ( but not for severe foetal abnormality) although many
would disagree with even that.
This was on the BBC Newspage today.
The US House of Representatives has backed a healthcare bill in a step towards reforms promised by President Obama, despite strong opposition.
Passed in a narrow 220-215 vote, the bill aims to extend coverage to 36 million more Americans and provide affordable healthcare to 96%.
The Senate now has to pass its own bill and the two must then be reconciled before the programme can become law.
Mr Obama has made healthcare reform a central plank of his domestic agenda.
He described Saturday's vote in the House as "historic", saying he was "absolutely confident" the Senate would follow suit.
Correspondents say the legislation could lead to the biggest changes in American healthcare in decades.
Concessions
The bill was supported by 219 Democrats and one Republican - Joseph Cao from New Orleans. Opposed were 176 Republicans and 39 Democrats.
Mr Obama said: "The United States Senate must follow suit and pass its version of the legislation. 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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KEY BILL PROVISIONS
Aims to provide affordable healthcare to 96% to redress 2008 figure of 47 million uninsured
Individuals must obtain coverage and most firms must provide it to workers
Creates an insurance market for purchase of coverage
One product will be a government health insurance plan
People with pre-existing health problems cannot be denied insurance
Funded by raft of measures, including 5.4% surtax on those earning $500,000 a year or more
Those who earn up to 150% of poverty level to qualify for Medicaid government programme for the poor
Insurers must justify increases in premiums
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The debate had sparked strong emotions on both sides.
Democratic Party representative John Dingell said: "[The bill] offers everyone, regardless of health or income, the peace of mind that comes from knowing they will have access to affordable healthcare when they need it."
But Republican representative Candice Miller said: "We are going to have a complete government takeover of our healthcare system faster than you can say `this is making me sick'."
Before Saturday's vote, Mr Obama had made a rare visit to Congress to try to persuade wavering members of his own Democratic Party to back the bill.
He said such opportunities came around "maybe once in a generation".
After the vote, the speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, said: "I thank the president for his tremendous leadership, because without President Obama in the White House, this victory would not have been possible."
The bill will allow the government to sell insurance in competition with private companies and make insurers offer cover to those with pre-existing conditions.
However, the government-run healthcare programme - the so-called "public option" - was scaled back in the run-up to the vote.
One key concession to get the bill through was to anti-abortion legislators.
An amendment was passed that prohibits coverage for abortion in the government-run programme except for rape, incest or if the mother's life is threatened. Private plans can still offer the cover.
Democrat Bart Stupak, who sponsored the amendment, said: "Let us stand together on principle - no public funding for abortions."
Abortion rights supporters said the amendment was the biggest setback to their cause in decades.
A Senate debate on healthcare reform is expected in the coming days.
Senate majority leader Harry Reid said after the House vote: "We realise the strong will for reform that exists, and we are energised that we stand closer than ever to reforming our broken health insurance system."
