On Sunday, Nov. 8, President Obama held a press conference in the Rose Garden to comment on weekend passage of the House of Representatives' landmark health care reform legislation, the Affordable Health Care for America Act, H.R. 3962.

"The Affordable Health Care for America Act is a piece of legislation that will provide stability and security for Americans who have insurance; quality, affordable options for those who don't; and bring down the cost of health care for families, businesses, and our government, while strengthening the financial health of Medicare. It is legislation that is fully paid for and it will reduce our long-term federal deficit," the President said.

He then gave credit to the House's efforts in getting the legislation to a vote. "Given the heated and often misleading rhetoric surrounding this legislation I know that this was a courageous vote for many members of Congress, and I'm grateful to them and to the rest of their colleagues for taking us this far.

Senate on Deck

"Now it falls on the United States Senate to take the baton and bring this effort to the finish line on behalf of the American people," the President said. "And I'm absolutely confident that they will. I'm equally convinced that on the day that we gather here at the White House and I sign comprehensive health insurance reform legislation into law, they'll be able to join their House colleagues and say that this was their finest moment in public service -- the moment we delivered change we promised to the American people and did something to leave this country stronger than we found it."

House Democrats were enthusiastic over the Bill's passage. "With this historic vote, tens of millions of Americans are closer to getting health insurance. With this historic vote, we stand to reduce our deficit by billions of dollars over the next decade," said U.S. Rep. John D. Dingell (D-MI), the Chairman Emeritus of the Energy and Commerce Committee and lead sponsor of H.R. 3962. "With this historic vote we are closer to bringing relief to American families who are forced to decide whether they will pay the mortgage or their health insurance premium. And with this historic vote, we will help American business compete in the global marketplace...Our actions will earn the respect and appreciation of Americans for generations to come."

Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee Representative Henry A. Waxman (D-CA), commented, "It is a significant victory that the House has passed comprehensive health reform legislation for all Americans. This bill will at long last reform the health care system by expanding choices, reducing costs, and providing people with peace of mind about their health insurance."

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