Thursday saw the closing in of all the votes needed by House Democrats to pass a new healthcare legislation which is all set to offer guaranteed greatly expanded coverage for health care for the first time in the history of the country. The nearly 2,000 page and $894 Billion bill is being viewed as a legislation at par with the Social Security bill of 1935 and Medicare bill of 1965.

While many of the bill's consequences might remain a little vague for many years to come, it is being viewed as a much helpful legislation which would expand healthcare coverage manifolds and reach almost 36 million more American citizens. The new figure means that the coverage would now be expanded to include 96% of the country's population.

Also, under the new legislation, companies which cancel policies when people fall sick or cap lifetime benefits will see an immediate ban. Insurance companies would also be stripped of their antitrust exemption.

"There are still some outstanding issues, but...we arrived at the consensus necessary to get more than 218 votes for passage in the House", said Rep. George Miller, the Martinez Democrat who is also a key architect. "I am confident this bill will pass". The legislation is being viewed as one of the most important developments of the present times.