WASHINGTON D.C. - The Democratic-controlled House has passed
historic health care legislation to provide medical coverage to millions more Americans.

Most Americans would be required to carry insurance and large employers would be obliged to cover their employees.

Wisconsin 8th District Representative Steve Kagen, a Democrat from Green Bay, voted in favor of the healthcare reform bill.

Kagen says, “We have taken a bold step forward towards securing the health and safety of all of our families. Working together, we are beginning to fix what is broken in our health care delivery system, guaranteeing that no family will lose their home or need to hold a bake sale just to pay for life-saving treatment."

Minority Republicans catalogued their criticism of the nearly 2,000-page, $1.2 trillion measure.

Georgia Congressman Paul Broun said, ``The American people need to understand this is about a government takeover of the whole health care system.''

But with little or no doubt about the outcome, the rhetoric lacked the fire of last summer's town hall meetings.

The legislation would require most Americans to carry insurance and provide federal subsidies to those who otherwise could not afford it.

Large companies would have to offer coverage to their employees.

Both consumers and companies would be slapped with penalties if they defy the government's mandates.

Before the debate on the House floor, House Democrats held a private meeting with President Barack Obama.

Speaking in the White House Rose Garden afterward, the president said: ``This is our
moment to deliver.''

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)