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Healthcare reform was finally passed in the the House of Representatives after a long night. The final vote on the healthcare reform bill was very close: 220 for to 215 against. It seems that President Obama’s last minute push for the legislation worked. Despite Obama’s pep talk, nearly 40 Democrats voted against the the bill. As predicted, the vast majority of Republican representatives voted against it. However, one Republican voted for the bill. Supporters are happy that the public option was retained in the bill, and that health insurance plans will no longer be allowed to deny coverage to people with pre-existing conditions.

Now the bill must go to the Senate, where it will be debated and modified further. Some liberal representatives in the House weren’t completely satisfied with the healthcare reform proposals passed, but feel that they have a better chance of getting what they want if they pass the bill and allow their Senate counterparts to work with it. Their other option is letting it fail, possibly endangering the chances of universal health care altogether.

A 242-192 vote allowed the health care reform legislation to reach the House floor to begin with. Several representatives promised to allow the bill to reach the floor for debate, although they opposed the actual proposals to change the health insurance system.

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