Historic Move Toward Health Care Reform

Today I got to watch history being made. I sat in the visitor gallery of the U.S. Capitol while our U.S. Representatives scurried to vote on a historical health care reform bill. It passed 220-215.

Titled the Affordable Health Care for America Act, this bill is designed to make health insurance companies more honest, enacting regulations like prohibiting them from refusing coverage for pre-existing conditions and charging women more than men for the same coverage. It also offers a public option for those who aren't insured or aren't satisfied with their current coverage.

Next up is the Senate, and it's unclear when they will vote on a version of the health care legislation. Though this was only one step in a long process towards real reform, it was a big step in the right direction. Certainly something to cheer about!

However, the House also passed a dangerous amendment to the bill. The Stupak Amendment bans federal funds from being used for reproductive health services in the public option and in the insurance "exchange" the bill would create. Democratic members argued that it was unnecessary because the Hyde Amendment (passed in 1976) prohibits the use of federal funds for abortion services. Conscientious Members spoke out that this amendment went too far - and unnecessarily brought a polarizing issue to the health care debate - ultimately using health care reform to attack women's privacy and health. Indeed, if enacted, this amendment would further limits women's access to reproductive health services.

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Comment by Sherry on November 11, 2009 at 9:11pm: My Grand Daughter watched it on C-SPAN. My Daughter listened to some of it. My Daughter and Grand Daughter has now got a different view on health care. It blew my mind that what I see everyday also goes on in Washington, DC. I'm affraid that we still have a long hard road ahead. I resigned from a club because of the way they chose policies that decreases a single parents rights. Some people never have a chance. Good Luck!!!!!

Comment by simofish on November 10, 2009 at 9:21pm: Liz -- my friend. I am struggling with this bill. Reading the WSJ I was amazed with some of the CRAP in this bill. I don't find it historic at all. I find it shameful. This isn't about the American people any more - this is about the Dems and GOP fighting with each other. I am disgusted.

I understand 'VIAGRA' will be covered by insurance. How ironic is that. Lets make sure guys can continue to have erections.

Comment by Jen on November 10, 2009 at 5:40pm: I have a friend who told me when she was a child she was repeatedly raped by her father, a police officer. She became pregnant at 15, with his child, and he made sure she had an abortion and partial hysterectomy.

The Rape, Assault, Incest, National Network (RAINN) reports thousands of girls and women become pregnant each year as a result of incest and one-time rape. Has Congress no intention of protecting females faced with these circumstances? What good is a national health care plan if it does not protect one's health? How can Congress turn a blind eye on these individuals and force them to carry a pregnancy full term? Shameful! I agree, Susan. There are too many cases to go over.

Comment by Susan Bouchard on November 10, 2009 at 3:29pm: No one advocates abortion. It is a fact of life. Back in the 60’s I had a substitute teacher. She chose to have open discussion. She revealed that she had carried a baby to term, but the child had died at some point before. I don’t remember the details.
Would it be safe to say everyone recognizes that that child would have to be delivered?
If labor had to be induced or the same process as an abortion used; what is the difference?
There are too many different cases to go over.

I find it insulting for so many people to assume that all American women are whores that kill their babies.

I find threatening that religion has taken over the United States Government.

Anyone denying any citizen health care is advocating their death (be it short or long term).
There is your death panel.

Comment by Mieke (Cleffnote) Appel on November 9, 2009 at 5:34pm: This house bill is more than disappointing, it is dangerous with the attachment of the Stupak amendment. I can't believe that with all the Democrats in Congress we can get a good clean bill that really means Medicare for all. We deserve no less.

Comment by J.C. JONES on November 8, 2009 at 12:15pm: Now it heads to the true test - THE SENATE - where in all actuality it will probably go up in flames...