Obama Hails Vote on Health Care as Answering ‘the Call of History’

Luke Sharrett/The New York Times

President Obama, with the vice president at the White House, hailed the passage of the health bill.

House Approves Far-Reaching Bill on Party Lines, 219-212

By ROBERT PEAR and DAVID M. HERSZENHORN 4:02 AM ET

After an epic political battle, Congress gave final approval to an overhaul of the nation’s health system that would provide medical coverage to tens of millions of uninsured Americans.

News Analysis

Big Win for Obama, but at What Cost?

By DAVID E. SANGER

President Obama lost the promise of a “postpartisan” Washington in which rationality and discourse replaced partisan bickering.

For Consumers, Clarity on Health Care Changes

By TARA SIEGEL BERNARD

The uninsured are the biggest beneficiaries of the bill, which would extend coverage for low-income Americans.

Legal and Political Fights Loom Over Health Care

By JEFF ZELENY and SHERYL GAY STOLBERG 11 minutes ago

The president plans to open a campaign to persuade skeptical Americans, while Republicans talk of repeal.

Text of Obama's Remarks | Battle Over Health Care | Photos

Health Care Multimedia

Opinions: Assessing the Moment

"A government-controlled health care system..."

Tommy Thompson, former health secretary

"We now honor working Americans and all our children."

Donna Shalala, former health secretary

"An improvement to our current system."

Louis Sullivan, former health secretary

"This bill doesn’t guarantee coverage..."

Bill Bradley, former senator

"Medicare is still the gold standard of health legislation..."

Richard Carmona, former surgeon general

"With passage, we should... commit to a true reform... "

Bill Frist, former Senate majority leader

"An unconstitutional mandate..."

Dick Armey, former House majority leader

"Reasserts that government can be a major solution..."

Robert Reich, former labor secretary

"Social Security... was also deeply flawed at its creation..."

Alan Brinkley, historian

"A significant expansion of the American welfare state."

Richard Reeves, columnist

"It begins to close the gaps for the uninsured."

Rev. Jesse Jackson

"It is so inadequate and so delayed..."

Ralph Nader

"... it is a matter of life and death."

Geraldine Ferraro, former congresswoman

"The political consequences... will likely be considerable..."

Robert Dallek, historian

"This bill will devastate our economy..."

Rick Santorum, former senator

How Some Groups of Democrats Voted

Vote on Senate Health Care Bill

Yes

Group

Freshmen

Voted YES on abortion amendment

Fiscally conservative Blue Dogs

Voted NO on Nov. health care bill

Rio Tinto Employees Say They Took Bribes in China

By DAVID BARBOZA 8:05 AM ET

The admission by three employees of the British-Australian mining giant is a stunning confession at the start of their trial in China.

More News

States Look Beyond Borders to Collect Owed Taxes

By CATHERINE RAMPELL

Improved techniques for identifying workers from beyond their borders have led states to increase tax enforcement.

U-2 Spy Plane Evades the Day of Retirement

By CHRISTOPHER DREW

The plane that was often at the heart of cold war suspense is now being used to gather intelligence in Afghanistan.

Analysis

Midmajors Show They Deserve Better Deal

By PETE THAMEL

A raft of early upsets suggests the N.C.A.A. should do more to include teams from outside the power conferences.

On the Blogs

Slide Show: A Tent City

Home to at least 44,000 displaced people, the Petionville Country Club in Haiti offers a portrait of entrenched transience.

News from AP & Reuters »

British Airways Strike Enters 3rd and Busiest Day

3 minutes ago

Ford's Mulally Makes $17.9 Million in 2009

5 minutes ago

Iraq Election Front-Runners Court Possible Allies

8 minutes ago

Opinion »

Editorial: Health Care Reform, at Last

The passage of a health care bill was an accomplishment of historic proportions. Yet this is a start on overhauling the system, not the end.

Weekend Highlights

Week in Review

In the fight over Texas’s curriculum, conservatives have more in common with liberals than they think.

Key Magazine

No matter what happens in New York City real estate, Curbed.com deems it worthy of loving attention.

Recent Blog Posts

News
Opinion

ArtsBeat: SXSW: A Memorial for Alex Chilton at the Big Star Show
March 22, 2010, 10:09 AM
Off the Dribble: Jeffries: D'Antoni Cares About Knicks Defense
March 22, 2010, 10:06 AM
T Magazine: The New Collectibles
March 22, 2010, 9:45 AM
The Local - Maplewood: The Day: A Letter to the SOMA Board of Ed
March 22, 2010, 9:43 AM
DealBook: E*Trade Gets C.E.O. From Citi
March 22, 2010, 9:31 AM
City Room: Ask About Changing Careers in New York
March 22, 2010, 9:30 AM

More New York Times Blogs »

Paul Krugman: Five-Year Plan
March 22, 2010, 10:06 AM
Freakonomics: When Is a Naming Law More Than a Naming Law?
March 22, 2010, 10:00 AM
Schott's Vocab: Frabjous Mimsy
March 22, 2010, 9:38 AM
Ross Douthat: A New Beginning, or a Last Hurrah?
March 22, 2010, 9:16 AM
Nicholas D. Kristof: The House Makes History With Health Care
March 21, 2010, 11:48 PM
Room for Debate: A Historic Moment for Health Care?
March 21, 2010, 10:52 PM

More New York Times Blogs »

On the Market in New York City

Properties on the Upper West Side, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and the Financial District.

On the Market in the Region

Find Properties

Place a Classified Ad »

Less Drama in Detroit as Lutz Leaves the Stage

Famously blunt, occasionally stubborn and blessed with a knack to lead, inspire or provoke, Robert A. Lutz will officially retire from General Motors on May 1.