Focus Shifts on Health Reform

03/22/2010

The focus on health care reform will shift from the U.S. House of Representatives to the Senate, following this weekend's passage of a $940 billion overhaul.

In its current form, the bill offers a series of provisions that will be enacted over the next eight years in an attempt to provide affordable health insurance to all Americans. These provisions include subsidies for small businesses, penalties for those who do not purchase coverage and expansion of government-sponsored programs like Medicaid and Medicare.

President Barack Obama spoke at the White House following the House vote.

"Most importantly, today’s vote answers the prayers of every American who has hoped deeply for something to be done about a health care system that works for insurance companies, but not for ordinary people," he said.

The current health care bill could extend coverage to up to 32 million Americans, according to data from the Congressional Budget Office. The reform passed in the House with a 219-to-212 vote and may be taken up in the Senate as early as Tuesday. From there, it will await Obama's signature.

Critics pointed to language surrounding abortion as well as increased cost to taxpayers in order to finance the program.

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