The House of Representatives passed a health reform bill Saturday night that creates a massive new government health system to cover the uninsured and operate along side private insurance companies.
The Democratic controlled House passed the bill 220 to 215 with Democrats pushing the bill through despite Republican opposition.
The measure moves to the U.S. Senate where the public option backed by President Barack Obama, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi as well as the AARP, the pharmaceutical industry and liberal advocacy groups faces a tougher challenge.
Supporters say the public option will cover the uninsured and help wrestle control of the U.S. health care system from private and for-profit providers. Critics worry about ‘socialized medicine’, mandated coverage for either private insurance or government plans and the new public option using taxpayers money to pay for abortions and to cover illegal immigrants. There area also questions about a new health system pushed by Obama resulting in Medicare cuts and concerns about why the drug industry is backing the plan.
Source: Washington Business Journal
