Shortly before  11:30 p.m. Saturday night, the House of Representatives approved their $1.1 trillion plan to bring comprehensive and affordable health care coverage to an estimated 36 million people who currently do not have it.

The final vote was 220-215, with 1  Republican, New Orleans area Representative . Anh "Joseph" Cao of Louisiana the only member of the House GOP to support the plan; 39 Democrats opposed it.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi reportedly was able to cobble the 218 votes she needed by allowing that a controversial amendment sponsored by Michigan Representative Bart Stupak that would put tight restrictions barring any insurance plan that is purchased with government subsidies from covering abortions.

Many pro-choice Democrats hope that amendment can be altered after the Senate votes on their bill.

Tampa area Democrat Kathy Castor hailed the vote.  In a press release issued out immediately after the vote, she said:

“Floridians win. In the Tampa Bay area alone, nearly 2.3 million residents with health insurance will see improved employer-based health coverage. More than 100,000 area small businesses could qualify for tax credits to provide health insurance to their employees. And approximately 631,000 uninsured individuals will finally gain access to health insurance.

“The Affordable Health Care for America Act we passed today offers stability, security and vital consumer protections that will take effect immediately. You won’t have to pay co-pays or deductibles for preventive care and you won’t be denied coverage if you have a pre-existing condition. You do not have to worry about insurance companies canceling your coverage if you are diagnosed with cancer or another ailment. You do not have to worry about health insurance companies barring you from coverage because you had cancer that is in remission or have recovered from heart disease. You will not go bankrupt when serious illness strikes. You will have meaningful, affordable, stable and dependable health insurance coverage.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says he hopes to have the Senate vote on their version of the bill by Thanksgiving, but speculation has it that it may not happen that soon.

This article appears in Nov 4-10, 2009.