What Do Democrats, Bats And Cockroaches All Have In Common?

They all like to do their work in the dead of night.

Last night the House of Representatives passed Heathcare reform by a vote of 220-215.

In a victory for President Barack Obama, the Democratic-controlled House narrowly passed landmark health care legislation Saturday night to expand coverage to tens of millions who lack it and place tough new restrictions on the insurance industry. Republican opposition was nearly unanimous.

The 220-215 vote cleared the way for the Senate to begin a long-delayed debate on the issue that has come to overshadow all others in Congress.

A triumphant Speaker Nancy Pelosi likened the legislation to the passage of Social Security in 1935 and Medicare 30 years later -- and Obama issued a statement saying, "I look forward to signing it into law by the end of the year."

"It provides coverage for 96 percent of Americans. It offers everyone, regardless of health or income, the peace of mind that comes from knowing they will have access to affordable health care when they need it," said Rep. John Dingell, the 83-year-old Michigan lawmaker who has introduced national health insurance in every Congress since succeeding his father in 1955.

In the run-up to a final vote, conservatives from the two political parties joined forces to impose tough new restrictions on abortion coverage in insurance policies to be sold to many individuals and small groups. They prevailed on a roll call of 240-194.

Ironically, that only solidified support for the legislation, clearing the way for conservative Democrats to vote for it.

The legislation would require most Americans to carry insurance and provide federal subsidies to those who otherwise could not afford it. Large companies would have to offer coverage to their employees. Both consumers and companies would be slapped with penalties if they defied the government's mandates.

Insurance industry practices such as denying coverage on the basis of pre-existing medical conditions would be banned, and insurers would no longer be able to charge higher premiums on the basis of gender or medical history. In a further slap, the industry would lose its exemption from federal antitrust restrictions on price fixing and market allocation.

At its core, the measure would create a federally regulated marketplace where consumers could shop for coverage. In the bill's most controversial provision, the government would sell insurance, although the Congressional Budget Office forecasts that premiums for it would be more expensive than for policies sold by private firms.

Read the full story here.

This bill is not reform, it is socialized medicine that will bring to the United States the same horror that Great Britain and Canada now have. It will destroy the private option, giving every citizen not the best healthcare in the world, but the worse health care in the world.

But that doesn't concern the Congress, they have exempted themselves, government employees, and the unions from this bill. But for the rest of us, either we get insurance, or we face a fine of $250,000 and/or 5 years in prison.

Too bad if you cannot afford insurance, you have to take the government option. You know, the one that won't allow you to join for 6 months if you have a pre-existing condition. Insists on having you go before a Death Panel to get benefits. And without any guarantees that you get to keep your own doctor.

This bill will cost Billions of Dollars, taxes that take effect immediately, but the bill's health care plan does not go into effect until 2013.

Too bad for all those people who are being denied Health Care for pre-existing conditions right now. They will have to wait until this bill goes into effect, so either they die, pay for health care out of their pocket, or wait (if they can). In the meantime we all will be taxed for services not yet given.

Any bets that Congress spends that money right away on frivolous pork projects?

Our Congress At Work!