BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) -- Rep. Earl Pomeroy, D-N.D., voted for the health care bill that passed the House late Saturday night, saying it's an important step.
In a statement, Pomeroy said the bill is far from perfect, ``but so is our present system.' He said improvements have been made in the bill for North Dakota doctors and hospitals and it will be improved further in the Senate.
The bill passed the House 220-215. Republicans argued the 1,990-page, $1.2 trillion legislation would lead to a government takeover of the health care system.
Pomeroy said the goal is to make health care coverage available to families.
