By a margin of only 5 votes, the U.S. House of Representatives passed new legislation for overhauling the American healthcare system.  

Requirements of the $1.3 trillion-dollar bill includes:

  • individuals must buy health insurance
  • medium and large businesses must provide insurance to their employees
  • low and middle-income families could receive subsidies to buy their insurance
  • insurance companies would be mandated to provide coverage to individuals regardless of pre-existing conditions
  • insurance companies can not drop individuals who acquire medical problems or cost of care
  • Individuals would purchase their insurance from a list of companies which includes a public option on the list. 
Shortly after the vote, President Obama stated “Tonight, in an historic vote, the House of Representatives passed a bill that would finally make real the promise of quality, affordable healthcare for the American people”.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi from California stated “When we can’t find common ground, we have to stand our ground”.
But democrats did not in fact stand their ground.  In order to make the proposal more palatable, a stipulation was made prospect medicament ventolin that insurance companies that offer financial coverage for abortions, would not be eligible for the insurance company list that patients can choose from.
This is quite frightening.  The point is not about abortion.  The fact is that legislators are deciding what treatment options will be made available  “for the good of the public”.  What treatment option will be eliminated next for the “cause” and “financial consideration”?
Rep. Joe Barton, a Republican from Texas remarked “I just don’t think it’s right that in the guise of helping Americans, we’re telling Americans what they have to do”.
Representative Diana DeGette from Colorado remarked  “To say that this amendment is a wolf in sheep’s clothing would be the understatement of a lifetime.  If enacted, this will be the greatest restriction on a woman’s right to choose in our careers.”
Republicans voiced their concern that the bill would catapult the national deficit and give the government a larger and improper role in American’s healthcare decisions.
And so it has begun!