U.S. President Barack Obama signed the healthcare reform bill at the White House on the 23rd, finally realizing the comprehensive healthcare reform goal that U.S. Democrats have strived for over many years.
The White House invited several Democratic congressional leaders to attend the signing ceremony, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who led the healthcare reform efforts. In his speech before signing, Obama stated that the healthcare reform bill would bring a new atmosphere to the United States. Starting this year, a series of provisions within the bill will be implemented, bringing tangible benefits to the public.
The bill signed by Obama that day was the Senate version of the healthcare reform bill, which was passed by the House of Representatives on the evening of the 21st. On the 21st, the House also passed a "budget reconciliation" bill aimed at amending certain parts of the Senate bill. This bill has been sent to the Senate and will be submitted to Obama for signature after passing the Senate. Among these, the Senate version of the healthcare reform bill contains the main content of the reform; regardless of whether the "budget reconciliation" bill passes, it cannot change the fact that healthcare reform has already begun.