As the House debate on the health bill heads into late evening, the rhetoric is just as divided along partisan lines as the final vote will be.
Democrats appear confident that they will have the 216 votes needed to pass a pair of bills designed to provide near-universal health insurance coverage. Republicans, who are unanimous in their opposition, have described the bills as "a disgrace."
The quest for widespread health care coverage has gone on for a century. Democrats are highly aware that they are about to prevail on a historic vote, making references to past landmark legislation such as Social Security and figures such as Martin Luther King Jr.
"I'm proud to be a member of Congress, but never as proud as I am tonight," said Eliot Engel (D-NY).
Democrats are highlighting the bill's prospects for reducing the deficit, lowering prescription drug prices for Medicare patients and expanding coverage to millions of uninsured Americans.
Republicans are blasting the bill for being overly ambitious and too expensive.
For the full story click here: House Democrats Close In On Historic Health Bill - NPR, March 21, 2010
Related coverage:
CNN's live blog coverage of Sunday's debate and vote CNN, March 21, 2010
New York Times live blogging of the House debate and vote The New York Times, March 21, 2010
House Clears Path for Final Health Vote The New York Times, March 21, 2010
Historic Vote on Health The Wall Street Journal, March 21, 2010
Nine Major Changes In The Democrats' Health Bill NPR, March 19, 2010
