In a major victory for Democrats, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill late Saturday night that calls for a $1.1 trillion overhaul of the health care industry over the next 10 years.
The passage of the bill, which is more than 2,000 pages, has been met with both zeal and disgust.
Many Democrats view the bill as a necessity that will allow millions of Americans to acquire health insurance with help from the government. Most Republicans, on the other hand, are wary of the program's hefty price tag and call for increased government presence.
Ben Cavataro, the president of the Florida College Democrats and vice president of UF's chapter, saw Saturday's passage as a victory in America's quest to obtain quality health care while reducing the federal deficit in the long term.
"It's great to see the House pass reform and move past the scare tactics used by the other side," he wrote in an e-mail. "A public insurance option would control costs and keep insurers honest."
According to Cavataro, the health reform will replace a current system that he believes isn't working for America.
"When insurance companies can take people off coverage once they get sick, things need to change," he said.
But Bryan Griffin, chairman of the UF College Republicans, sees the bill as a fiscally irresponsible, desperate attempt by Democrats to bolster re-election campaigns.
"[Speaker of the House Nancy] Pelosi doesn't care about listening to what the people have to say; all she cares about is getting this through without anyone getting a chance to read what the bill actually says," he said. "It's a complete farce."
The conservative response, Griffin argued, is governmental support for nonprofit organizations through tax incentives, not a federally regulated overhaul.
"Now is do-or-die time for America," he said. "We need to vote out the people who are trying to run this garbage through."
Despite the victory in the House, the health care overhaul faces a Senate vote that, according to UF political science professor Richard Conley, could be a challenge. Thirty-nine Democrats voted against the bill in the House, and the Senate, according to Conley, is a whole new political ballgame.
"If I was in Vegas I would bet about 40-60 on this thing getting through," he said. "The big question is whether Harry Reid can convince the Blue Dog Democrats and the independents to go along with this."
According to Conley, Americans should expect more turmoil in the upcoming months.
"There's an old saying that those who are squeamish should stay away from sausage factories and legislatures," Conley said. "It's going to be a battle."
