219 to 212. A slim margin of victory, but even seven votes make a difference for the millions of uninsured who will now have the chance to receive the medical care that they previously couldn’t afford. On Sunday evening the House of Representatives passed the health care reform bill. The bill entails a sweeping transformation of the nation’s health care system, including offering insurance to tens of millions currently not able to afford health services.

The bill estimates expanding health insurance coverage to 32 million people, adds 16 million to Medicaid rolls, subsidizes coverage for the low-income and reduces federal budget deficits by 143 billion in the next ten years. Insurance companies can no longer drop coverage when people become ill and cannot deny coverage to children with medical problems.

After a year of back and forth between people and parties, the House approved the bill already approved by the Senate with a package of revisions. The President plans on signing the legislation Tuesday, making it law.

Although 32 million will be covered under the insurance umbrella, they will not receive coverage immediately and 23 million will remain uninsured, a third of these immigrants. However, the bill will expand  health care to many who were denied this civil right for so long and marks a historic point in American history.

Tags: healthcare, medicaid, medical clinic

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