WASHINGTON--Triumphant Democrats passed landmark health care legislation in the House late Saturday night, spurred by a summons from President Barack Obama to "answer the call of history" and expand coverage to millions who lack it.

The final vote was a narrow 220-215. Only one Republican, Rep. Joseph Cao of Louisiana, voted for the measure; 39 Democrats voted against it.

Earlier, the House approved an abortion amendment and rejected a Republican substitute for the legislation, paving the way to final passage.

The passage of the bill was an exhilarating victory for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and for President Barack Obama.

But the Senate has yet to begin floor debate on its own version of insurance reform. That debate may be weeks away, with Senate Democratic leaders still negotiating over the details of their legislation.

If the Senate enacts its bill, conferees from House and Senate would then meet to negotiate a final compromise measure.

That compromise would then need to be voted on by the House and Senate.

So Democratic members from Republican-leaning districts who cast a difficult vote Saturday night for the House bill will face yet another tough vote in several weeks. (Source: MSNBC)

Redlands Republican Jerry Lewis voted ‘no’ and warned of ‘single payer healthcare’.

“The Speaker and her congressional advisors are committed to government-run health care. We can solve existing problems without adding a trillion dollars on the backs of average American taxpayers,” Lewis said.

Corona Republican Ken Calvert opposed the bill saying it is the first step toward the creation of a single-payer system. This bill creates over $1 trillion in new government spending, funded with the ‘hope’ that our children will figure out how to pay the bill tomorrow,” Calvert said. (INT)

Story Date: September 2, 2010