House passes health care reform, Senate to begin debates on issue

WASHINGTON – The Democratic-controlled House narrowly passed far-reaching health care legislation, handing President Barack Obama a hard-won victory on his chief domestic priority.

The 220-215 vote Saturday cleared the way for the Senate to begin a long-delayed debate on the issue.

In the run-up to a final vote, conservatives from the two political parties joined forces to impose tough new restrictions on abortion coverage in insurance policies to be sold to many individuals and small groups.

The legislation would require most Americans to carry insurance and provide federal subsidies to those who otherwise could not afford it. Large companies would have to offer coverage to their employees.

Insurance industry practices denying coverage because of medical conditions would be banned, and insurers would no longer be able to charge higher premiums on the basis of gender or medical history.

At its core, the measure would create a federally regulated marketplace where consumers could shop for coverage.

 In the bill’s most controversial provision, the government would sell insurance, although the Congressional Budget Office forecasts that it would be more expensive than for policies sold by private companies.

House Republicans were nearly unanimous in opposing the plan.

Obama went to Capitol Hill on Saturday to lobby wavering Democrats.

Republicans detailed their objections across hours of debate on the legislation.

“We are going to have a complete government takeover of our health care system,” said Rep. Candice Miller, R-Mich.

To pay for the expansion of coverage, the bill cuts Medicare’s projected spending by more than $400 billion throughout a decade. It also imposes a tax surcharge of 5.4 percent on income more than $500,000 in the case of individuals and $1 million for families.

“We realize the strong will for reform that exists, and we are energized that we stand closer than ever to reforming our broken health insurance system,” said Senate majority leader Harry Reid of Nevada.