Finally, health care reform.

Historic medical college stained glass window, Oxford University, Oxford, England.

Hooray for the 219 Democrats who voted Sunday night to extend health care coverage to 32 million more Americans! While the plan is far from perfect, it offers a lifeline to many, including those with pre-existing medical conditions and the under-or-uninsured. Basically, the bill - which President Obama will sign - provides quality, affordable health care for all Americans. Plus, health care reform is projected to reduce the deficit by more than a trillion dollars over the next 20 years.

As for 34 Democrats and ALL Republicans who voted no (as per usual with this deliberately-obstructive Congress), shame on them with their excellent government-paid health care and hefty insurance-industry contributions. Obviously, they care more about their own selfish gains than their constituents, their health care and their rights. As an editorial in the Los Angeles Times pointed out, "Rarely has such a good thing for Americans been perceived by so many as a threat to their livelihood and liberty."

Read about ten immediate benefits of HRC and more about the health care reform bill's passage here, here and here.

Comments

[JanePoet ~ JP/deb]

Yes we can. Yes we are.

[Marilyn]

I am thrilled that the health care has passed, but so sad for those that are so ignorant to fight something so good for them. Thanks for speaking up. It is a new beginning and I hope for more changes to come. Isn't that what we Americans voted for in the last election? It's about time.

[sheris white]

I read on Talking Points Memo this morning, that a recent poll shows the Tea Party is the home of the angry white woman. She's likely to be very angry and a very big fan of Sarah Palin!!

I can't understand some people's thinking. McCain certainly has caused turmoil by dragging her out of Alaska.

[Jo]

I have been reading the comments, and anger about this particular issue just puzzles me. in my country (Australia) our medical system is far from perfect but if someone really needs medical help, they get it. The costs of treating cancer, kidney failure all the life threatening illnesses don't see people loose their homes and wind up on the streets. Standing on the outside looking in, we see the US as a place that is very unforgiving to those who get ill. I am scratching my head here, "its my right not to be able to be able to pay for medical care for my family, you can't make me." just bamboozles me. The stories we have heard here about American families loosing their homes and having to live on the streets because of not being able to pay for medical treatment is nothing short of astounding in this day and age.

My country is not perfect, far from it. There are plenty of things that are in desperate need of fixing, don't start me on the treatment of indigenous australians but there is something we do right, we treat the sick. If we want private insurance, we can buy it if we want (my husband works in a private hospital, and spent many years working in public hospitals), but our public system is set up so everyone who needs it has access to it. Average Americans deserve that, now that's a RIGHT!

We watch what happens to you guys, it shapes the politics of the entire planet. We need you t do the right thing more often, and what ever side of the political fence you sit, this new bill will see a life line for millions of americans. How can that be bad?

[Tara Bradford]

Debi, just because lawsuits are being filed doesn't mean the bill is unconstitutional! That's for the courts to decide. And yes, it is normal to assume that representatives did what their constituents wanted when they vote. That's what they were elected to do: represent their constituents.

As for mandating insurance, since when is medical coverage a bad thing? What about the 32 million Americans who haven't been able to secure health care? What about those who have been turned away from insurers, because of pre-existing conditions? There's a bigger picture here than your own situation. Anyway, tax breaks are being offered THIS YEAR to small businesses to comply with coverage for their employees. For once our taxes are going towards something good for Americans, rather than fueling an endless war in Iraq and Afghanistan, thanks to the previous administration.

And why are you wasting your time arguing with me? If you're so opposed to HRC (although I still don't know why you are, as both you and your employees will ultimately benefit), then contact your elected representative. Most small businesses already provide health care coverage for their employees; that's part of the advantage in securing and keeping good employees.

And I'll remind you in a democracy, we're allowed to have differing opinions. If you believe so strongly that HRC doesn't work for you, then channel your energy into changing things for the better.

[Debi]

Tara, lawsuits will be filed today. I am not speculating.

Your assumption that representatives did what their constituents favored? We'll see in the 2010 elections.

You assume that I haven't checked into whether there is anything to help a small business? Let's see, penalties if I don't insure everyone vs. the cost of insuring . . . Trust me, no hiring will be done. No way will I ever go over the 25 employee ceiling, at which point all those penalties kick in.

Thank you for admitting that the actual bill was not available for perusal - its contents WERE discussed as nauseum, with the gov't telling the American public different things, no one ever sure what was really in the bill because the Obama administration refused to let us see it. When one of the many versions of the bill was finally released, and people questioned certain aspects, we were told well, that's THIS bill only, not the real bill. Obama lied when he ran for president. I will not forget that.

The American government is forcing people to buy insurance. Forcing. Mandating. And you wonder why people are angry?

[Tara Bradford]

Debi, the actual bill may not have been available for perusal, but certainly its contents were discussed ad nauseum for months, in town hall meetings, online forums, op-ed pieces, newspaper articles, television interviews, letters to constituents, Facebook, Twitter, etc. Your suggestion that representatives voted against the will of their constituents is simply untrue. The majority still rules in a democracy and no doubt the representatives took the wishes of their constituents into account - unlike the GOP, who stick to their own special interests and vote against everything, rather than actually producing solutions to serious issues facing our country. Perhaps if you further investigate the HRC bill and its provisions, you'll find there are benefits to you and your employees.

As for your assertion that the bill is unconstitutional, are you a lawyer? Do you really think the bill hasn't been thoroughly vetted by White House lawyers and numerous other legal advisers? That's a question for the courts to decide; it's not something to speculate about as though it's a fact. It's your opinion; not a fact.

[Debi]

Re: "health care reform has been in discussion and planning stages for a year, with full text of the bill available for public review and comment." Not so. Even Nancy Pelosi said we needed to PASS the bill so that people would then know what was in it. Not too reassuring. This last bit was up for 72 hours. 3 whole days. When Obama ran for President, he promised that bills would be online for 30 days for everyone to read (never done), that the health care debate would take place on CSPAN (when reminded of this by CSPAN, there were excuses-o-plenty, and laughter by the Democrat party; why, we silly people didn't really BELIEVE that, did we? That's not what he meant!). Being forced to purchase insurance in unconstitutional. As an employer it means I won't hire. It is money we don't have. It HAS been rammed down our throats, representatives voted against the will of their constituents, and once again, the bill is unconstitutional.

[Tara Bradford]

Dianne, I have no idea where you're getting such erroneous information, but the facts simply don't support your assertions. Why don't you read the HRC bill, then wait and see how you and your family benefit, before jumping to conclusions?

[dianne dolan]

I think we could insure everyone in the us for far less w ouy all the bribes and kick backs that we will all be paying for, not to mention our poor kids who will really be stuck!!!!
dd

[Krupo]

It's gracious of you to point out it's from from perfect - an act of grace the naysayers are unwilling to extend in making their own biased arguments.

I want to trumpet the fact that had the obstructionists tried to cooperate rather than stall and obfuscate for the past year, the bill could've been closer to perfect than the awkward set of compromises it ended up being.

Shame on those who claim the bill is "flawed" while at the same time being the very people responsible for many of its flaws!

[urbanartiste]

This is a landmark, but tort reform needs to be included. I have a lot of concerns, my area is low on nurses and certain specialties (OBGYN drop the OB the minute they can due to high malpractice), so I hope this bill helps more than hurts.

[sheris white]

My retired, school teacher, husband had double knee replacement surgery in December. Thanks to Democratic President Lyndon Johnson signing the Medicare bill in 1965, we only had to pay $300 of the $70,000 surgery bill. He just returned from a mile walk, without a cane.

[Tara Bradford]

Sandra, health care reform has been in discussion and planning stages for a year, with full text of the bill available for public review and comment. How is this being "rammed down our throats?" Further, Congress, the Senate and the President have exempted themselves, as they already have full coverage and don't need more; it's those who have inadequate or no health insurance who need health care reform. That includes much of the population of the US. I'm sure if you take the time to review the bill's actual merits, you'll find HRC is a positive benefit. It will help bring the richest country in the world more in line with the rest of the developed nations, when it comes to health care for its citizens. Not sure why you are opposed to a plan that actually benefits the majority of the population.

[Sandra]

There are millions of us, living in the USA, who are not against health care reform, simply against having it crammed down out throats quickly and without due and proper consideration. Once again, the politicos have decided, in the back room no less, they will be exempt from this travesty. If the plan is all that great, why have Congress, the Senate and our President exempted themselves?

[Stephanie]

Hurray Hurray!!! I only hope that when we see this is such a good thing for our country and that the world will not end because of it that those who were coaxed into absurd fear will come around.

[Julio]

This is great news! I hope the GLBT Americans will soon be able to celebrate another victory in reversing DOMA. Healthcare & Equal Rights for all

[Gillian, wow, I went to Petra!!!]

Sounds like a good thing! Who would dare vote no, that makes no sense at all. Have a great day Tara! xo

[dutchbaby]

At last, after months and months of exhausting, aggravating, and divisive debate, we are finally beginning to catch up with the rest of the free world. Like climbing to the top of Everest, everyone is too spent to celebrate much. Beautiful photo choice!

[Geraldine Snape]

well done America! and all the brave people who spoke up against such hard opposition.

[Judith Cloud]

When we hear so many Americans speak out against health care reform, It gives me great hope to see the amazing women--blog favorites--who speak out in favor.