Senate passes $871 billion health care bill
Washington (CNN) - The Senate passed a sweeping $871 billion health care reform plan Thursday morning, giving President Barack Obama a major victory on his top domestic priority.
The bill passed in a strict 60 to 39 party line vote. Every member of the Democratic caucus backed the measure; every Republican opposed it.
The Senate bill now has to be merged with a roughly $1 trillion plan approved by the House of Representatives in November. Democrats will have to bridge differences on a range of thorny issues, including how to pay for a compromise plan, language relating to abortion coverage, and whether to include a government-run public health insurance option.
Democratic leaders hope to have a bill ready for Obama's signature before the president's State of the Union address early next year.
From CNN Politics
- James Comer and former Twitter employees strike deal on subpoenas in exchange for testimony
- 10 Cards Charging 0% Interest Until 2024
- A freight train derailment in Ohio puts US infrastructure back in a bruising spotlight
- Neo-Nazi leader and Maryland woman allegedly plotted to 'completely destroy' Baltimore, Justice Department says
- Biden says US 'did the right thing' in shooting down Chinese spy balloon
- Untitled
Stage one – accomplished
great! I notices Senator Hutchinson wasn't there..she's running for governor here. Great to see progress
Thank god. At least one of the parties cares that millions of people have no health insurance which causes far too many people to go bankrupt or, even worse, die.
Most civilized countries provide health care to their citizens- the best we could do is gift the insurance companies with millions of legally obligated "customers"? This is not reform of the system which is so badly broken.
It's nice to know that you elect vote for your senators and congressman and then they just do whatever the heck they want. We don't even know what's gonna be in the bill after it's mergered.
Merry Christmas! Congratulations Mr. President may God continue to bless you with compassion, and clear your path before your enemies.
You kept your campaign promise of healthcare, I know there will be time down the road to align it more with your vision but this is a heck of an accomplishment!!!
Obama 2012!!!!
Thanks for NOTHING, Obama, Reid and Pelosi.
Why did we vote for these liberals? HUGE MISTAKE!!!!
im really angry at this SO CALLED FREE COUNTRY we are living in....
so if this president (notice i didnt say our president or my P) gets his health care passed>??? we arent going to have any say???? and we all will have to get health care??? what a bunch of crap is that??? and i will have to fork over money i dont have to pay for his???? health care???? notice ket word here HIS health care this guy is a hitler in sheeps clothing ......nope ladies and gentleman if this goes through???? we can KISS OUR FREEDOM NITE NITE....BUT THEY CARE??????> CHRIST NO!!!!!!
THANK YOU MR PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED???HAHAHA STATES............kelly lindley
"...Giving Obama a victory..." Yeah, but not the American people.
Everyone enjoy your last Christmas of Freedom...
I bet you will all be scurring in 2010 political run offs
We need a public option.
After the massive payoffs in the senate, how much more will it cost taxpayers now that congressmen will want their cut of the pie? It's that change that Obama campaigned on. Before we knew of the bribery. Now we find out after the fact. Change you can believe in. Now 49 states have to pick up Nebraskas medicare tab. I wonder what states get a sweet deal in congress this time?
Way to go boys (& girls!!)
You rule!!!!
Teach the world!!!
Yes, we need to have a public option to keep the crooks in the insurance industry honest!!!
The revolution against unfair taxes and to DESEAT those who have broken their oath of office based on the constitution will start and we will throw out all the bums, We will see how you like unemployment. I will not pay for osamacare because it is unconstitutional.
Good news America.
The passage of the health care bill will go down in history as one of the most important issues ever to help the American people. The Democrats should be very proud. Obviously it is a first step in a long process but at least they tackled it and have the best interests of the American people at heart. Once again the Republicans are standing on the outside. How can they play politics on such an important issue? During their eight years in control they didn't even consider trying to improve the health care system. Instead of being spoilers they should put politics aside and support this bill. It will be very important for the Democratic legislators and the media to get the real truth out about the positve aspects of the bill and cut through all of the vicious and exaggerated rhetoric that is bound to come from the Republicans. They are experts at "fear and smear" and you can be sure they are already planning it..
GREAT !! So the Healthcare Reform Bill PASSED yet another hurdle !! This is ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS NEWS !! However, we've got a lot more work to do !! For one thing – This so-called sweeping healthcare reform legislation does NOT have the government sponsored PUBLIC OPTION !! What Good is It WITHOUT A PUBLIC OPTION !! I only hope and pray now that the House & Senate versions of the Bill have to be merged, that SOMEHOW, SOME WAY Congress sees it fitting to include a PUBLIC OPTION !! Without a government sponsored PUBLIC OPTION, it seems to be more a victory for the 'FAT-CAT' Privatized Insurance Industry than it does the American People !! WAKE UP CONGRESS – WE NEED A PUBLIC OPTION TO COMPETE AGAINST THE 'FAT-CATS' IN THE PRIVATE INSURANCE INDUSTRY !! It is NOT UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE COVERAGE WITHOUT THE PUBLIC OPTION !!
and another thing??? will it get so bad that we will have to drive the same car as obama??? wear the same style of clothes he wears...simply becasue hes the prez?????
this dudes a hitler freinds why not bring back the style of marching they had start saying sig heil again in bowing to his majesty obama ???? doesnt anyone in washington get it????? maybe not...folks we are dealing with a bunch sheep being lead by the nose here........this prez doesnt give a rats (???) about us its(he)he cares about him folks ....again thanks mr prez for taking away the word freedom from us...if this (pile of crap happens) and if??? it does pass god i will be proud to be an american NOTTTTTTTTT and may be some who said if bush gets elected again?? we will leave this country maybe not a bad thought?????? hey wont be any freedom left anyway so why stay???? think about?it??? knuckleheads????
This is great news! I know some of you morons will cry "socialism" when you have no idea what that even means. Just be quiet and let us mature, intelligent adults enjoy this.
It's about time the Democrats passed healthcare reform. Since the final vote was 60 to 39, I wonder which one of the Refusenik idiots did not vote? Could it have been McConnell or Boehner?
What will the Refuseniks filibuster next, motherhood or apple pie?
Even Greater News, I Just Read That CNN (Still HypocriCNN) Vewing Audience Is Down 30% According To USA Today. The Bad News For You Gets Even Better (Or Worse), You're Not Even Ranked Among The Top Cable Networks. A Destiction You Well Deserve After The Shenanigans You've Pulled In Both 2008+2009.
For those who applaud this it might be rewarding to read two books, "The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire and Atlas Shrugged". Two old books that have never been more pertinent.
Congrats Dems and shame on you GOP! It was a long time acomin'.
My right wing friend is sooooo opposed to a public option as she keeps using her Medicare.
This is the best Christmas gift America could ever get!
Thank you President Obama for making good on your commitment to the American people.