The American Spectator : The Spectacle Blog : Obamacare Passes

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A sad day for freedom in America. The Senate health care bill just passed the House by a 219 to 212 vote, with 34 Democrats voting "no." Given the closeness of the vote, it means that the decision of Rep. Bart Stupak to cave on abortion put Democrats over the top.

Republicans are right now offering a "motion to recommit," or send the reconciliation bill back to committee, with instructions to add the Stupak language. The idea is to force Democrats who already voted for the Stupak language in November into a tough vote.

UPDATE: The Republican motion to recommit has failed, 232 to 199.

UPDATE II: The reconciliation bill has passed, 220 to 211. That goes onto the Senate, but the Senate bill goes to Obama for his signature. So we get Obamacare either way.

View all comments (25) | Leave a comment

Merril Lane| 3.21.10 @ 11:18PM

The Dems claim that this is just the beginning. They are rightm, the end comes in Nov. when we send them back to their private lives, which they don't remember because they have made Congress a career! Time for term limits!

Angry| 3.22.10 @ 12:24AM

Unfortunately we are stick with Obama until 2012 unless we can find a reason to throw the bum out!

splien| 4.12.10 @ 4:10AM

Yes,it's ufortunately.

Gary B| 3.21.10 @ 11:31PM

The DEMS won a battle not the war, this was a battle that was won with suicidal tactics. Sure they had the votes to pass this ObamaCare, will they have the votes to DEFEND IT come NOV 2010 and 2012?

Liberal Reader| 3.21.10 @ 11:41PM

Gary --

They don't have to defend it -- at least in '10 --unless somehow Republicans get a veto-proof majority. Even the most ambitious Republican strategists don't think they can get those kinds of numbers.

As for running against this in the fall, think about it: you'll have politicians going on television and saying they want to -- among other things -- make it legal for insurance companies to drop children for preexisting conditions. That'll be the day. No Republican will do it, just like no Democrat would run against the drug prescription benefit the Republicans passed under Bush. (The Democrats just FIXED the so-called "donut hole" in that mess of a bill, by the way.)

JohnD| 3.22.10 @ 5:09AM

Wait until everyone sees what happens to job creation and economic growth once the Obamacare taxes kick in. This is a dagger in the heart of small businesses, part of the ongoing Obama strategy of government and big business against consumers and small businesses. Small businesses create jobs, and consumers drive 70% of the U.S. economy.

Hold on folks, here comes the double dip.

Becky| 3.21.10 @ 11:32PM

The motion to see what Stupak was really made of was successful though.

Liberal Reader| 3.21.10 @ 11:34PM

Of course it passed. Democrats had a majority. They RAN on this issue as a central part of their platform and won that majority in the 08 election. They are being true to that election.

Eric Cantor gave a hell of a speech tonight on the floor, though. I wonder why there's not more talk of running that guy as president. Cantor / Ryan '12 would be a real ticket to beat.

Yosemeti Sam| 3.21.10 @ 11:57PM

" Obamacare Passes ...."

You betcha!

In the Democrat Party stall.

Pure unadulterated defecation upon the majority
will of Americans.

Angry| 3.22.10 @ 12:22AM

Well, the Dems have done it. They have begun America's downward spiral to Socialism with the passage of this legislation. I say this because not only have they taken over the auto industry, today the medical industry and the business of student loans. Oh and Michelle wants private companies that Obama doesn't own yet to change there formulas if she thinks they are not good for you.
God help us all.

Barney| 3.22.10 @ 1:40AM

I am ANGRY also, If you would just study our recent history you would know that it was the "progressives" back in the beginning of the twentyeth century that started us on the slippery slope into socialism and dictatorship. Read your history, FDR is the god father of all that you see going on today.
"Blessed are the young for they shall inherit the national debt." Herbert Hoover

Cris Worth| 3.22.10 @ 2:13AM

Apparently RomneyCare has been the model for ObamaCare. Thank you Governor "Mitt". The result will be the same as RomneyCare higher costs all around but at a national level. The poor folks of Mass. have the double whammy but what the heck liberals need not worry...a President Romney won't repeal ObamaCare but he can manage it better.

LiveFreeOrDie| 3.22.10 @ 5:00AM

Americans will now be REQUIRED to purchase government sponsored health insurance. Let me be the first one to refuse.

States are already filing lawsuits over this. After Obama's public scolding of the Supreme Court I wouldn't be surprised if they decide to pick this case up.

Democrats just hanged themselves. This is good news.

Liberal Reader| 3.22.10 @ 9:20AM

Americans are required to buy PRIVATE insurance.

This is because those who now refuse to buy insurance end up being treated when they are sick or injured for free.

The exchange is this: insurance companies will not be able to drop people for preexisting conditions (children starting NOW, adults in a couple of years), and everyone has to buy in.

Democrats just hanged themselves?

I doubt it. Republicans just got stuck with all their dark premonitions of doom and disaster. The health care bill would bring socialist nazism to America.

Well, that's not going to happen, obviously, but everyone's going to remember they SAID that was what was going to happen.

Cris Worth| 3.22.10 @ 9:32AM

I wonder if nationalized health care will supercede RomneyCare for Bay State citizens. I wish my friends at Harvard Law School the best.

Liberal Reader| 3.22.10 @ 10:36AM

75% of people in MA approve of their state's health plan.

The bill passed yesterday essentially duplicates the MA ("Romneycare") plan.

Patriot| 3.22.10 @ 4:23PM

RomneyCare is bankrupting Massachusetts just like ObamaCare will bankrupt America. They're both socialized medicine.

ella| 4.26.10 @ 12:38PM

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FrankTraes| 5.18.10 @ 12:40PM

Healthcare has been on an unabated path to lower prices since Obamacare was passed on March 21: http://stockcharts.com/h-sc/ui.....1712975237

Bothered| 5.29.10 @ 8:54PM

Why did they pass this even though the media was reporting that most Americans did not approve of the bill. I was eating Chinese Delivery when I found out. I still don't believe it.

luna33| 7.1.10 @ 7:52AM

Workers to them are mere commodities to both leverage for greater financial gain, and to provide cannon fodder for the protection of markets, resources, and all important riches from external threats - real or imagined. Brussels apartments

Lisa| 12.20.10 @ 9:19AM

Of course it is passed. They have begun America's downward spiral to Socialism with the passage of this legislation. I say this because not only have they taken over the auto industry, today the medical industry and the business of student loans. Oh and Michelle wants private companies that Obama doesn't own yet to change there formulas if she thinks they are not good for you.regards,Schuhe Girl

Lisa | 4.6.11 @ 1:59PM

I wonder if nationalized health care will supercede RomneyCare for Bay State citizens. I wish my friends at Harvard Law School the best. Lisa from Schuheshops

celulares moviles| 5.26.11 @ 6:59PM

It is every woman's right to choose on his own body, such laws must be fully studied and analyzed and approved not looking to win votes.

Amanda K| 6.19.11 @ 10:12PM

I dont understand what you are all upset about, it didn't end up affecting any of you really... I think there are more important things to worry about at the moment...
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