socialmedian: Obama health plan clears first hurdle

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Obama health plan clears first hurdle

Source: observer.guardian.co.uk

Nov 08, 2009

Summary

• House of Representatives passes bill by slim margin
• Democrat waverers given concession on abortion

Barack Obama enjoyed the biggest victory of his presidency so far as he saw the House of Representatives vote in a bill over the weekend that would mark the greatest extension in US health coverage since 1965.

The House voted by 220 to 215 to approve the bill, that would increase health insurance to 96% of Americans and secure a political goal that has eluded the Democrats since Bill Clinton's failed efforts in the early 1990s.

"Oh what a night," said Nancy Pelosi, the Democrat leader in the House, who is credited with steering the vote through.

After the result was announced Obama said he looked forward to signing a health reform act by the end of the year. But before that there must be a final struggle as the legislation, in slightly different form, is put before the Senate.

Saturday's vote carried within it evidence that a difficult road lies ahead before the reforms become law. The slim majority was the result of 39 Democrats breaking ranks and opposing the bi

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