A bill to reform health care squeaks through the House. The action moves to the Senate

THE House of Representatives narrowly passed a health-care bill on Saturday November 7th, a big step for those who want to reform America’s $2.5 trillion health-care system. Barack Obama spent part of his Saturday making a rare visit to Capitol Hill to press some hesitating Democrats into giving their support, although in the end the tally of 220-215 in favour of the legislation, with 39 Democrats voting against, was a tight margin. The bill picked up the support of just one Republican, Joseph Cao, a first-term congressman from New Orleans who faces a tough battle for re-election next year. After securing the lone Republican’s support, Steny Hoyer, the Democrats’ majority leader, jokingly declared that there had been “a bipartisan vote”.

Success in the House, however, is just one part of a long process. Senators must next debate their own health-care proposals, which could be brought to the Senate floor before the end of this month. If they manage to pass a bill then differences between the House and Senate versions would need to be hammered out before a final act is sent to the president to sign. Nevertheless, the House bill marks a step towards America getting the most significant piece of health-care legislation through Congress since Medicare in 1965, creating near-universal coverage for health insurance. Veterans of past health-care battles are delighted. …