U.S. President Barack Obama commended what he called a "courageous" vote for members of Congress who passed a historic health care reform bill late Saturday, legislation that, if enacted, will extend coverage to tens of millions Americans who are currently uninsured.
"I know this was a courageous vote for many members of Congress and I am grateful to them and the rest of their colleagues," Obama said in a news conference Sunday.
He said if the law passes, the U.S. will be able to protect Americans from "abuses" by insurance companies who deny or revoke coverage for people who have preexisting conditions, or reach a lifetime maximum.
He said it now falls on the U.S. senate to "take the baton and bring this effort to the finish line on behalf of the American people."
The House bill is projected to expand coverage to 36 million people who don't have insurance. The United States is the only developed nation that does not have a comprehensive national health care plan.
The bill passed Saturday with a 220-215 vote tally and will now head to the Senate for what will no doubt be more heated debate.
But in the Senate, more than a simple majority is needed for passage, and it will be a tough fight.
Several centrist Democrats still have reservations, particularly about establishing a government-sponsored insurance program, or public option, to compete with private insurers.
"The House bill is dead on arrival in the Senate," Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said Sunday. "It was a bill written by liberals for liberals."