Senate awaits historic bill

For months, the Democrats and Republicans have gone back and forth over an issue that always causes debate on Capitol Hill. But the unthinkable has finally happened. On Saturday, the House of Representatives passed the health care bill, H.R. 3962, Affordable Health Care for America Act, on Saturday night. With a vote of 220-215, there was only one Republican, Rep. Joe Cao (R-Louisana) who voted in favor of the bill. Even though the Senate has yet to vote on it, and it is far from reaching President Obama’s desk, making it through the House is historic.

According to cnn.com, 219 Democrats voted for the legislation and 39 voted against. The opposing party has found every reason imaginable to be against government run healthcare, from increasing taxes on small businesses to not being able to keep their primary care physician to increased healthcare costs.

The impact this could potentially have on the country is monumental. Thousands of Americans, who have gone without healthcare coverage, will have access to health insurance, a human right as declared by the Declaration of Human Rights.

The bill clearly states its purpose is to provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending. Big ups to President Obama for making a giant leap to fulfilling one of  his tasks as outlined in his election platform.  Yes, the Republicans are as salty as can be. Will Obama be elected for another term? Who knows. But no one ever makes history by being well behaved.

Kikora N. Mason for the Editorial Board.