President pitches reform in 11th hour!
When the 216th vote was cast in favor of the Health Insurance Reform Bill earlier today, it was a magic number for President Barack Obama.
The hard-fought battle to reach out to millions of uninsured Americans had been won!
The President - who had been watching the vote count from a perch in the Roosevelt Room at the White House - jumped to his feet when the threshold was crossed, high-fived his Chief of Staff (Rahm Emanuel), and hugged members of his team in the midst of a raucous burst of applause.
It was a widely-held view that the bill (a year in-the-making) was dead in its tracks months ago - but the oh-so-buoyant (some said bogged down) piece of legislation - managed to rise up from the ashes like a Phoenix.
Many attribute the outcome (a historical political & social event) to the dogged-ness of the President (who wouldn't take "no" for an answer) and the stick-to-it tenacity of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
In fact, at a caucus meeting on Saturday night, Ms. Pelosi was being hailed as the major driving force behind the measure, responsible for it passing the House with a 219-212 count.
Not surprising, Republicans were unanimous in their opposition to the complex bill (along with 34 dissident Democrats).
The legislation awaiting the President's approval would extend coverage to 32 million Americans who lack it now, ban insurers from denying coverage on the basis of pre-existing medical conditions, and cut deficits by an estimated $138 billion over a decade.
If the final analysis, insurance coverage would extend its current reach, to include 95 percent of all eligible individuals under the age of 65.
Will Barack Obama sign it?
You bet your sweet bippy!
But, it is not all smooth sailing, just yet.
A second measure - which effects changes to the first - has been slated for consideration later this evening.
A Senate spokesperson asserted there were enough votes to pass it.
After reviewing a handful of the clauses, I was surprised to learn (for the first time) that under the terms of the "Bill", most Americans would be required to purchase insurance or face penalties if they refused.
To me, it appears a little unconstitutional, for starters.
A large piece of the money (moon) pie would be devoted to subsidies to help families (with incomes up to $88,000.00) pay their premiums, however.
The sweeping changes may not bode well for individuals in other social scenarios, though.
Also, critics have speculated that insurance carriers and health care providers, may face higher taxes (or smaller pay-outs on claims).
For good reason, throngs of protesters mobbed Capitol Hill tonight, with the cry of the day.
"Just vote no!"
Their shouts fell on deaf ears, though, as lawmakers and regulators (and a gallery brimming with attentive spectators) focused on the important business at hand.
In fact, the "framers" of the Health Insurance Reform Bill, compared their efforts to those of the past achievements of U.S. greats who crafted the legislation for Social Security and Medicare.
"This is the civil rights act of the 21st century," boasted Representative Jim Clyburn on behalf of the state of South Carolina.
Others took a dismal view of what they deemed a fiasco and a fraud upon the people.
"We have failed to listen to America," wailed Representative John Boehner of Ohio.
Consequently, he vowed to launch a nasty fight for control of Congress in the mid-term elections.
Medicaid, the federal-state health care program for the poor will be affected, too.
Coverage would be required for incomes at the Federal poverty level.
Also, coverage for childless adults would kick-in for the first time starting in 2014.
The insurance industry will now have to come to grips with regulation by virtue of the Government's newly-instated jurisdictional powers.
Carriers would be forbidden from placing lifetime dollar limits on policies, from denying coverage to children due to pre-existing conditions, or canceling policies when a policyholder falls ill unexpectedly.
Parents would be able to keep children up to age 26 on their family insurance plans (which represents a three year extension).
A new high-risk pool would offer coverage to uninsured people with medical problems until 2014.
In the 11th hour, Obama's team struck an accord with anti-abortion lawmakers, that succeeded in lifting a long-standing stumbling block in the final stretch of the negotiations.
The President issued an executive order pledging that no Federal funds would be used for elective abortion, which satisfied Rep. Bart Stupak of Michigan and a posse of like-minded pro-lifers.
On the sidelines, opinions varied as to whether the reform bill was a move forward, or not.
"I know this bill is complicated, but it's also very simple," asserted House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) in a bold-faced effort to smooth over waters with the disgruntled few who complained about the complexities of the reform bill.
"Illness and infirmity are universal, but we are stronger against them together than we are alone. In that shared strength is our nation's strength."
On the threshold of Barack Obama's victory, Representative John Kline (R-Minn.) expressed frustration.
"Perhaps it's time for Washington to stop talking and start listening. I'm listening to the thousands of citizens who traveled to our nation's capital this weekend to tell us, in no uncertain terms, they want us to kill this bill."
Others were jubilant when the winning vote was cast.
"This is a historic day and we are happy warriors," Representative John Larson (D-Conn.) beamed to CNN reporters.
To some Republicans, it was a hollow victory.
"This trillion-dollar tragedy is just bad medicine," Rep. Lee Terry (R-Neb.) said.
At the top of the news hour, reports are already flooding in, in respect to the potential ramifications (both negative and positive).
News at 11!
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