Atlanta
(2009-11-08)
Most Americans would be required to carry insurance and large employers would be obliged to cover their employees.
A cheer went up from the Democratic side of the House when the bill gained 218 votes, a majority. Moments later, Democrats counted down the final seconds of the voting period in unison, and and let loose an even louder roar when Speaker Nancy Pelosi grabbed the gavel and declared, "the bill is passed.'
The 220-215 vote cleared the way for the Senate to begin debate on the issue that has come to overshadow all others in Congress.
The House has voted to prohibit coverage of abortions in a new government-run health care plan that Democrats want to compete with private insurers.
The 240-194 vote was a blow to liberals who would let the Obama administration decide whether to cover abortions in a government-provided insurance plan. Sixty-four Democrats joined 176 Republicans in favor of the prohibition.
The vote was on an amendment to a Democratic-written bill to provide health care insurance coverage to 36 million Americans who don't have it now. The amendment also prevents private insurers from covering abortions for anyone getting federal subsidies to help pay their premiums.
© Copyright 2012, Associated Press
