By Staff
The U.S. House late Sunday passed a landmark health care reform bill, which now heads to President Barack Obama for his signature.
U.S. Rep. Jo Bonner, R-Mobile, along with the rest of the state's congressional delegation, voted no on the measure. Democrats Artur Davis, who is running for governor, and freshman Bobby Bright of Montgomery voted against the bill, which would extend health coverage to 32 million Americans who do not have insurance; expand Medicaid; ban insurers from denying coverage on the basis of pre-existing conditions; and require Americans to purchase health insurance or face penalties. Much of the bill's cost — $940 billion over a decade — is expected to pay for subsidies to help families with incomes up to $88,000 pay for health insurance premiums.
The final vote was 219-212, with no Republicans voting for the bill.
In a statement, Bonner, who represents Escambia County, said the passage of the bill "put a stake through the heart of both freedom and liberty."