House Democrats Pass Health-Care Bill

House Democrats pass health-care bill
One Republican votes for plan Senate will act next on legislation
By Lori Montgomery and Shailagh Murray | Washington Post

Hours after President Obama exhorted Democratic lawmakers to "answer the call of history," the House hit an unprecedented milestone on the path to health-care reform, approving a trillion-dollar package late Saturday that seeks to overhaul private insurance practices and guarantee comprehensive and affordable coverage to almost every American.

After months of acrimonious partisanship, Democrats closed ranks on a 220-215 vote that included 39 defections, mostly from the party's conservative ranks. But the bill attracted a surprise Republican convert: Rep. Anh "Joseph" Cao of Louisiana, who represents the Democratic-leaning district of New Orleans and had been the target of a last-minute White House lobbying campaign. GOP House leaders had predicted their members would unanimously oppose the bill. Read more.

See how House Representatives voted by congressional district, campaign contributions received from the health industry, and the percent of people uninsured in their districts.