US health law passes final vote
The
landmark US healthcare reform law, which extends coverage to
thirty-two million more Americans, has passed its final Congress
vote.
Amendment
The US House of Representatives backed amendments by two hundred
and twenty votes to two hundred and seven. The vote was needed
after a number of Republican objections.
The Senate earlier voted for the package by 56-43. Two points,
which Democrats say are minor, were deleted.
President Barack Obama, who has already signed the main bill
into law will now be able to apply a final signature, which is
expected within days.
Democrats have begun to seize back control of the healthcare
argument, and opinion polls suggest that more Americans now
believe this reform is a good idea.
The Opposition Challenge
The Republicans are threatening to reform or repeal this
legislation should they gain control in the mid-term elections
in November.
Responding to the challenge during a visit to Iowa , as he
embarked on a campaign to sell the new programme to the American
public, Obama said he welcomed the fight.
The House vote brought an end to a process president Obama said
was a year of debate and a century of trying.
BBC/Williams
