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House passes health care bill

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POLITE DISCOURSE | 9:44 p.m. Nov. 7, 2009
Let the REPUBLI/CON HATE OBAMA MACHINE begin.
Chris | 9:47 p.m. Nov. 7, 2009
Finally, it the most prosperous nation in the world, we will offer 96% of our people health care. It's about time that those with preexisting conditions are not forced into medical bankrupcy because they are denied coverage.
Canadiandy | 9:50 p.m. Nov. 7, 2009
As I Canadian I say welcome to Socialized Health Care. That's exactly what we call it here.

Welcome to huge doctor shortages. Welcome to year long wait lists for essential surgeries. Welcome to the government making all the decisions about which surgeries you can have, and when, and where, and by who. Welcome to devoting nearly half your GDP to medical expenses. Welcome to much higher taxes.

Next comes a bilingual National Anthem, Monopoly-colored money, legalized drugs, Same-sex marriage, government-funded abortion, 7% national sales tax on top of any State tax, and state-run left-wing media.

It sure is nice to have a new cellmate, welcome. But, please, tell me what you did to belong here?
Comments continue below
Anonymous | 9:51 p.m. Nov. 7, 2009
Great News.
Democrats Republicans difference | 9:53 p.m. Nov. 7, 2009
Were the republicans in power, this vote would have been to lower taxes, mostly for the very rich.

The democrats do something that will be helpful to people in general instead.

Republicans say health care for all is un-american and is anti freedom.

I ask, how much freedom does one have if they don't have their health? or can't take their children to the doctor when they are sick?
Anonymous | 9:58 p.m. Nov. 7, 2009
Can someone please explain why it is ok to spend billions on a war but healthcare for our own is frowned upon by the conservatives?
Working for the Govenment | 10:00 p.m. Nov. 7, 2009
Great, now I get to pay more taxes to help pay for insurance for those that won't work. I enjoy working hard so I can pay for someone else's laziness. Wait.....maybe I will quit working and someone else can pay for me!
The Price Paid | 10:02 p.m. Nov. 7, 2009
Much closer than I thought it would be. Pelosi had to cave in to an ammendment that would prohibit almost all funding for abortions in order to get the votes she needed for passage.

Now the next trick for the Democrats in getting the Senate version of the bill through their chamber - a much tougher challenge that the house had. The Senate Democrats are badly divided over several issues and there is a possibility they don't have the votes, even if they resort to reconciliation.
Anonymous | 10:03 p.m. Nov. 7, 2009
God save us until 2013
Don | 10:03 p.m. Nov. 7, 2009
IT IS TIME FOR A GENERAL NATIONWIDE STRIKE TO STOP THIS STUPIDITY! 5 Million more jobs to be lost! Jail for those who refuse to pay! Massive fines! This is not America! This is another step toward socialism!

STRIKE FOR FREEDOM! STRIKE FOR AMERICA! STRIKE FOR OUR CHILDREN! STRIKE TO STOP THIS MESS!
Anonymous | 10:03 p.m. Nov. 7, 2009
Vote democrat - its easier than getting a job and being responsible for yourself
Anonymous | 10:04 p.m. Nov. 7, 2009
Someone remind me why congress is exempt from obamacare?
We the people | 10:04 p.m. Nov. 7, 2009
no longer have control over our choices to any extent...the government now literally controls, accesses, and restricts every aspect of our daily life. Oh, and if you try to live free, you will be "slapped" with a fine.
Anonymous | 10:04 p.m. Nov. 7, 2009
“If you’re a family that’s making $250,000 a year or less, you will see no increase in your taxes. Not your income tax, not your payroll tax, not your personal gains tax, not any of your taxes.” But now President Obama is finding that keeping the promises made by candidate Obama is next to impossible. You just can’t borrow a trillion dollars for an economic stimulus, enact a new trillion dollar health care entitlement, and increase discretionary spending by 12% through 2019 (including doubling federal education spending) and then expect to pay for it all by taxing the most productive Americans. Eventually the moment comes when reality catches up to campaigning . That moment is fast approaching.
Anonymous | 10:05 p.m. Nov. 7, 2009
GOOGLE: Morning Bell Obama Middle Class tax hike and read what both Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and National Economic Council Director Larry Summers said about Obama's PROMISE not to raise taxes.

Obama promised "Not one dime," increase for anyone who makes less than 250K. We are about to see that's a lie.

And why is congress EXEMPT from Obamacare? It should be required of them first and foremost if its required of us. Classic "do what I say, not what I do" from liberals.

Anonymous | 10:05 p.m. Nov. 7, 2009
TRUE STORY - Niki Tsongas(D) MA
CONSTITUENT: My question to you, Congresswoman Tsongas, is that if this is such a great plan, why did you opt out of it when you took the vote [loud applause, standing ovation]?
TSONGAS: People often say why don’t the American people have what those of us in Congress have. [Audience erupts] Let me explain what I have. Let me explain what I have. What I have is a tremendous array — you know, last year when I went to a discussion — what I have is a tremendous array of choices. And I made a choice based on what I was willing to pay for and what made sense in terms of coverage for me and my family. [Audience shouts out: "We want choice! We want choice!]

If Congress can CHOOSE to get on obamacare(which they AREN'T for good reason), why can't we?

Anonymous | 10:05 p.m. Nov. 7, 2009
Someone tell Barack we're Baroke.
Anonymous | 10:06 p.m. Nov. 7, 2009
Obama: a new chapter in American History - Chapter 13
Anonymous | 10:07 p.m. Nov. 7, 2009
Marx, Lenin, obama
KC | 10:08 p.m. Nov. 7, 2009
My husband is a doctor and I know for a fact that MANY physicians will retire due to this bill. Health care quality will go down, costs will go up, and the government will have substantial oversight in all health decisions -- just like they do in Medicare right now.

Welcome to the world of "the government only pay for three children. You want more? No health care for them." Welcome to the world of fines and prosecution for those who refuse to immunize. Welcome to fewer doctors, overworked nurses and a myriad of paperwork. You think private insurers are bad. Just wait...
Good... | 10:08 p.m. Nov. 7, 2009
Now the 50% of Americans that pay no income taxes will be forced to pay $15000 per year for Government run health care.
sad | 10:08 p.m. Nov. 7, 2009

Sad to see that many think that big oppressive government is the answer to everything.

To the Elderly, get ready to be counseled about how you've lived long enough and now you need to make room for others.

To everyone else, wait till you see how much "free" health care is going to cost.


Anonymous | 10:09 p.m. Nov. 7, 2009
Look at whats happening to this country people!!
Anonymous | 10:10 p.m. Nov. 7, 2009
Just as my Utes finished a great game I hear this - I'd take a Utah loss over this anytime. Independence Day 1/23/2013, God forbid we have any "change" left by then
Anonymous | 10:12 p.m. Nov. 7, 2009
Obamacare: 3 easy payments of $400 Billion. It's going to cost $1.2 trillion over ten years. Does this joke know anything about inflation?
Anonymous | 10:12 p.m. Nov. 7, 2009
Thank you, thank you, thank you. You may have upset a few people, but you have given millions and millions hope! Thank you!
Unbelievable | 10:12 p.m. Nov. 7, 2009
A new entitlement program. We all know the current entitlement costs are growing beyond sustainability, so we add a new one.

Have you ever heard the saying "One more good deal and I'll be broke"?

Sure it will be nice to have no exclusions for pre-existing conditions, and eliminate the anti-trust status of the insurance industry, and other things in this bill. But why did we have to form a government run insurance to achieve these things? Congress could have voted for the provisions and let the private sector remain private.

Our generation expects to have it all and to have it all right now. So we are spending ourselves into "broke".

Nice job Congress. This truly is historic.
I TOLD YOU IT WOULD PASS! | 10:13 p.m. Nov. 7, 2009
THIS IS A HISTORIC DAY. THANK YOU GEORGE BUSH FOR DOING SUCH A POOR JOB THAT YOU CREATED THE WANT FOR CHANGE, AND THE PEOPLE OF THE USA VOTED IN A MAJORITY OF DEMOCRATS WITH THIS GREAT PRESIDENT. AND TO JIM MATHESON, I HAVE NEVER VOTED FOR A REPUBLICAN BEFORE, BUT I WILL VOTE FOR THE REPUBLICAN THAT RUNS AGAINST YOU. YOUR FATHER IS ROLLING OVER IN HIS GRAVE BECAUSE YOU VOTED AGAINST HEALTH CARE. I WILL NOT FORGET YOUR VOTE. NOW, ON TO THE SENATE, AND IT WILL PASS THERE TOO. GOD BLESS THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
Anonymous | 10:13 p.m. Nov. 7, 2009
spend, spend, spend. He promised there would be NO increase in any type of tax for a family that made under 250k. That CANT happen when he's spending $1.2 trillion on obamacare. He lies.
Joe Moe | 10:14 p.m. Nov. 7, 2009
The article makes this glaring omission, and I admit I have not tracked different bills so I don't know about this one: does it or does it not include the "public option"?

Anonymous | 10:15 p.m. Nov. 7, 2009
I won't say much, I sit here with a happy smirk. The smirk that comes along with knowing the Republicans couldn't help save their evil health insurance companies from making money off death.
Anonymous | 10:15 p.m. Nov. 7, 2009
Has this guy ever explained how we're going to pay $1.2 trillion over the next 10 years for this?
Crazy | 10:16 p.m. Nov. 7, 2009
After 2010 obam will be a lame duck, then something good will sart to happen.
Finally! | 10:17 p.m. Nov. 7, 2009
The only negative part of this bill was the nearly unanimous opposition by Republicans! This reform is long overdue...why would you oppose this bill without offering something in its place?! I'm proud of the House for passing it, proud of the ONE Republican who bucked the trend and voted for it, and eager to see the Senate improve on this bill and pass it before year's end!
Now let's Revamp Auto Insurance | 10:18 p.m. Nov. 7, 2009
Now that we are revamping healthcare to cover preexisting conditions, let's revamp auto and home insurance the same way. I was robbed without renter's insurance. I would love to be compensated for that at the expense of everybody that is insured like we are now going to do for healthcare. I don't mind this so much for those that couldn't pay for healthcare because of unemployment, but we are definitely going to reward all those that took the chance of going without healthcare to save money, and lost the bet versus those of us that paid the bucks to avoid that gamble.
Re: Canadiandy | 10:18 p.m. Nov. 7, 2009
We currently have the world's most expensive health care. In the United States, you can get all the care you want as long as you can pay top dollar for it.

I don't doubt your assertion that the Canadian system is flawed, but do you really want to replace it with the current American system?

As for the bilingual anthem, haven't the French speakers been in Canada longer than the English speakers?
THIS IS NEWS, GOOD NEWS | 10:18 p.m. Nov. 7, 2009
I'm going to sleep well tonight. I'm sure others that think only about themselves will toss and turn.
Anonymous | 10:19 p.m. Nov. 7, 2009
It is unamerican. CAn bankrupt country since enough people will expect someone else that works to pay for it that they won't work. Were will the money then come from?

There is no constitutional authorization for taking something from one person and giving it to another. There is no right to food, clothing or shelter why a right to medicine. If you use something pay it yourself don't expect your neighbor to pay for it. Rome fell because there were people that did not fight for the country and demanded what was not theres.
Kevin in the Terrace | 10:19 p.m. Nov. 7, 2009
I am not sure what else was in that bill but a few other things would help the situation out. First the bill is heavy handed against the insurance companies. I don't think that the problem begins or ends there. I think that doctors need to be a little more transparent about the costs of their procedures, accepting patients, and why they ran certain proceedures. I also think that limited enrollment in medical schools bottleneck the number of doctors in the US. Therefore Medical schools should be required to accept more applicants and in turn, get more funding to accommodate the increased enrollment. More doctors would mean more competition. I think lawsuits are out of hand. If this bill really wanted to limit the cost it should have placed limits on lawsuits. Pharmaceuticals cost way too much. There should be provisions that force pharmaceutical companies to lower their prices. Finally, I have seen nothing that addresses the costs that illegal immigrants impose on the medical system. I would really like to see what other things are hidden in the 1000+ pages of that bill before I make a jugdement about it.
Joe Moe | 10:19 p.m. Nov. 7, 2009
I found my own answer from another news source (thanks but no thanks, DMN):

"In the bill's most controversial provision, the government would sell insurance, although the Congressional Budget Office forecasts that premiums for it would be more expensive than for policies sold by private firms."

And a pricetag of 1.2 trillion dollars.

That's 1,200 billion dollars.

That's 1,200,000 million dollars.

I don't even know how many years that covers, but regardless, it's making me sweat.
CougarKeith | 10:21 p.m. Nov. 7, 2009
I have the freedom to take my children to the doctor when they are sick, What's wrong with lowering taxes? There is also a thing called "Free Clinics" as well as wonderful Health Care Institutions like IHC who will "Write Off" care for those who can't afford it! I don't want to lose great coverage to have to pay for the 6 million who truly can't get coverage! This is WRONG! I have news for the "Big Cheerers" of Government Health Care, YOUR PARENTS are the LOSERS, and in 25-30 Years YOU WILL BE THE LOSERS when RATIONING "IS" THE CASE in Amerika! Then you will get "DEATH COUNCILING" because a younger more "ESSENTIAL" person will get the heart operation, the cancer treatment, or oxygen because they are more important than YOU are! You haven't got a clue what is happening here, do you? THINK ABOUT IT!!! WHO EVEN READ THE BILL? It's on Polosi's Site, it's over 1,900 pages long!!! We'll all be speaking Chinese in 25 years thanks to Obama and his Liberal Buddies!!! At least you'll all have your health care!
Anonymous | 10:21 p.m. Nov. 7, 2009
I'm going to join the "working" guy at 10:00. What is the incentive for each individual to do his/her part in turning this economy around if obama will just give handouts to everyone that asks? Socialism destroys personal accountability!
Anonymous | 10:21 p.m. Nov. 7, 2009
This is awesome!

Time for Change!

If Bush can spend a trillion dollars for a war then why not healthcare too!
Joe Moe | 10:21 p.m. Nov. 7, 2009
@Anonymous 9:58.

Good point. Get of the Middle East and save us billions. And then, get out of private healthcare and save us trillions.

Then we can look at MAYBE balancing a budget again.

I never thought I'd say this, but I am actually missing Bill Clinton about now. At least he and the GOP Congress could figure out how to balance a budget.
Wow | 10:23 p.m. Nov. 7, 2009
It happend? TAPS anyone???
Unemployed and Loving It! | 10:24 p.m. Nov. 7, 2009
Thanks America: You pay my food bills, rent, electricity, and now healthcare. Can we see if its possible to get obama to tuck me in each night too?

I love socialism!
Anonymous | 10:25 p.m. Nov. 7, 2009
Bush started 2 wars costing trillions, so Republicans, just zip your lips.
Anonymous | 10:26 p.m. Nov. 7, 2009
And we thought Bush was bad... Could this guy get any worse?
Anonymous | 10:27 p.m. Nov. 7, 2009
So let me get this straight: I'm forced into obamacare, yet congress members can opt out? Yes, that makes perfect sense. Hussein needs to go!
Anonymous | 10:27 p.m. Nov. 7, 2009
I am so deeply saddened that the foes death profiteering have won. NOT

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Alex Brandon, Associated Press

Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., center, speaks as others, including Majority Whip James Clyburn, D-S.C., left, and Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., listen outside the Cannon Caucus Room after meeting with President Obama about health care on Capitol Hill in Washington, Saturday.

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