U.S. House Passes Historic Bipartisan Health Care Reform Bill

Late last night after a long day of debate, the U.S. House passed an historic bipartisan health care reform bill. At 11:15pm EST, the House of Representatives passed the Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962) by a vote of 220, which included 219 Democrats and 1 Republican.

According to a press release from Oregon Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), the bill includes “a public option, adds coverage for 37 million people, insures 96% of Americans, and provides advance care planning - a provision Blumenauer authored - all while reducing the deficit.”

For almost 100 years and despite countless attempts, neither chamber of Congress has ever before passed comprehensive health reform.

The passage of the bill brought Americans one step closer to secure, affordable care while extending health care to 36 million more Americans including 323,000 more Oregonians.

It is now up to the Senate to take up their version of healthcare reform legislation. According to ABC News, two bills have already moved through committee and now must be merge into a single, unified bill. Democratic Leaders pledge they will have a bill on the President’s desk before the end of the year.

Correction: Original article reported U.S. Congress passed Historic Bipartisan Health Care Reform bill. For clarity, it was the U.S. House of Representatives that passed the Historic Bipartisan Health Care Reform Bill.

Posted in: Affordable Health Care for America Act,Congressman Earl Blumenauer,H.R. 3962,Health Care Reform,Legislation,U.S. Congress