Following our story yesterday about the momentous health care reform bill vote in Congress we can tell you today that this historic bill has been passed by the House. Whatever you think of President Obama we have to say this is an amazing feat for him to have achieved. This was always going to be a tough ask and yet after political turmoil and much pulling out of hair the far-reaching program will now take place.

It all went down to the wire with the final vote being 219-212 and not a single Republican backing the reforms. There had been much controversy on Saturday with anti-gay insults being thrown at Rep. Barney Frank, and racial slurs being slung at some African American members of Congress. However although they had to march through protestors, Nancy Pelosi, House Speaker, linked arms with other Democrats to enter the Capitol before the final debate took place.

The Health Bill had looked likely to be passed at last when on Sunday an executive order from the White House assured Bart Stupak and some other anti-abortion members, persuading them to vote for the bill, as it was pledged that no federal money would be used to fund abortions, (see our earlier story).

The House then has now passed the Senate Bill which will become law once President Obama signs it. It will be fully implemented in the next 4 years and will give virtually all U.S. citizens extended health care insurance. For more on this story go to SFGate.com. It would appear to me that everybody, especially in such a developed county as the US, is entitled to equal health care and this is a real achievement that Americans should be proud of, but maybe you disagree? What are your thoughts on this?