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Obama praises 'courageous' health vote

WASHINGTON, Nov. 8 (UPI) -- U.S. lawmakers who voted for a healthcare reform bill in the House of Representatives are "courageous," President Barack Obama said Sunday.

Speaking in the Rose Garden at the White House, Obama praised the House members who enabled the healthcare package to pass by a narrow 220-215 margin, enabling it to advance to the U.S. Senate, saying, "Given the heated and often misleading rhetoric surrounding this legislation I know that this was a courageous vote for many members of Congress, and I'm grateful to them and for the rest of their colleagues for taking us this far."

Looking ahead to a tough fight in the upper chamber, Obama added, "Now it falls on the United States Senate to take the baton and take this effort to the finish line for the American people."

The measure passed Saturday night after a day of intense lobbying, including a visit to the U.S. Capitol by Obama, who has made healthcare reform his top priority.

"For generations, the American people have called for affordable, quality healthcare for their families," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California said on the House floor before the vote. "Today, the call will be answered."

The first major reform of the U.S. healthcare system in four decades would provide insurance to 36 million more Americans, so 96 percent of the nation's population would be covered, supporters said. The plan, which would cost more than $1 trillion over a decade, would add a government-run health insurance option and provide subsidies for poor people to buy insurance.

The House measure has drawn sharp criticism from Republicans, who say it would amount to a government takeover of healthcare and reduce the quality of care.

"This is one of those bills that takes a system that is the best in the world and will turn it on its head, and I don't believe this is what the American people want," said Michael Steele, chairman of the Republican National Committee. "To me, this doesn't make any sense and I know it doesn't make any sense to the vast majority of people out there."

Obama and Democratic supporters in Congress, however, say the bill would reduce costs and improve care.

The reform measure would limit how much people can be charged for out-of-pocket expenses. And it would forbid insurance companies to cancel coverage because someone gets sick, deny coverage because of a pre-existing condition or put annual or lifetime caps on coverage.

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Graham: House health bill 'dead' in Senate

WASHINGTON, Nov. 8 (UPI) -- The healthcare reform bill passed in the U.S. House of Representatives is "dead on arrival" in the Senate, a senior Republican said Sunday.

Sen. Lindsay Graham, R-N.C., said on CBS's "Face the Nation" that the House bill "is dead on arrival in the Senate" after passing by just two votes over the opposition of all Republicans and 39 Democrats.

"Moderate Democrats from swing districts," Graham said, "bailed out on this bill. It was a bill written by liberals for liberals."

Graham said independent-minded lawmakers such as Sen. Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut, a former Democrat, "are not going to get anywhere near the House bill. It cuts Medicare about $500 billion. It's over $1 trillion in new spending. It does have the public option. So the House bill is a non-starter in the Senate."

The measure passed 220-215 Saturday night after a day of intense lobbying, including a visit to the U.S. Capitol by President Barack Obama, who has made healthcare reform his top priority.

"For generations, the American people have called for affordable, quality healthcare for their families," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California said on the House floor before the vote. "Today, the call will be answered."

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Concern for Muslim U.S. soldiers 'real'

WASHINGTON, Nov. 8 (UPI) -- The U.S. Army chief says there are "real concerns" about a backlash toward Muslim U.S. soldiers following last week's mass shooting at Fort Hood, Texas.

"Anecdotal evidence" emerging about the background of the suspected shooter, 39-year-old Army psychiatrist Maj. Nidal Hasan, have led some to worry about the safety of other Muslims serving in the armed forces, and "I think those concerns are real," Army Chief of Staff Gen. William Casey told NBC's "Meet the Press" Sunday.

"I will tell you ... that they're, they're fueled partially, at least, by the speculation about -- based on anecdotal evidence that people are presenting," Casey said on the program. "I think we have to be very careful with that. Our diversity not only in our Army, but in our country, is a strength. And as horrific as this tragedy was, if our diversity becomes a casualty, I think that's worse."

Hasan, accused of killing 13 fellow military members at Fort Hood, has been taken off a ventilator, the Army said Saturday. He remains in intensive care at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Fort Hood spokesman Col. John Rossi told reporters.

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Philly strike negotiations break down

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 8 (UPI) -- The six-day strike by Philadelphia-area transportation workers will likely continue after negotiations broke down during the weekend, observers say.

Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell on Saturday blamed the leadership of Transport Workers Union Local 234 for the breakdown of talks to end the strike against the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, or SEPTA, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

The newspaper said Rendell demanded a rank-and-file membership vote on a proposed contract settlement, which union leadership dismissed because its executive committee had rejected the offer.

"We're not going to take it to a vote," Local 234 president Willie Brown told the Inquirer. "For the same reason the president of the United States would not bypass Congress and go directly to the people."

Smith reportedly said Rendell's demand was merely an effort to divide the union.

But Rendell told reporters Saturday that the union made new demands after a handshake agreement was announced Friday, including a call for an independent audit of the SEPTA pension plan, which the union contends is underfunded and mismanaged.