American Health Care Reform

Dealing with health, I couldn't overlook the (in Obama's words) "historic" session that took place in the USA congress last Sunday, when one of President Obama's top priorities was voted: the reform that he is planning for the American Health Care system.

The House passed its health care bill late Saturday night by a 220-215 vote, with 39 Democrats in opposition and one Republican supporting it. Senate approval is considered less certain due to opposition by all Republicans and some moderate Democrats.

Obama called the support by many House members "courageous" in the face of what he called "the heated and often misleading rhetoric around this legislation."

The Affordable Health Care for America Act, or H.R. 3962, restricts insurance companies from denying coverage to anyone with a pre-existing condition or charging higher premiums based on gender or medical history. It also provides federal subsidies to those who cannot afford health insurance. And it guarantees coverage for 96 percent of Americans, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.

The bill still has to go to the Senate, where Republican opposition is even greater.

Adapted from www.cnn.com