Strong medicine

After more than a year of debate, the US Congress has voted in favour of reforming the country’s health-care system. It is an important victory for President Barack Obama and the Democrats, but the bill remains controversial and still does not provide universal health care.

Historic victory

The Financial Times says the passage of the bill ensures Obama’s place in history, but notes that it was a long time in the making.

Barack Obama and his allies in Congress have succeeded where previous Democratic administrations have failed. They have passed a healthcare reform that guarantees health insurance for almost all Americans and ensures that bankruptcy will no longer be a consequence of serious illness. It has taken the US much too long to do what other rich countries did decades ago. …

Doctors of the House

The Wall Street Journal believes the bill is seriously flawed and that America will face enormous financial problems because of it.

… This week’s votes don’t end the health-care debates. By making medical care a subsidiary of Washington, they guarantee such debates will never end. And by ramming the vote through Congress on a narrow partisan majority, and against so much popular opposition, Democrats have taken responsibility for what comes next — to insurance premiums, government spending, doctor shortages and the quality of care. They are now the rulers of American medicine. …