By Ryan Morden
Oswego, NY – Central and Northern N.Y. House Democrats Dan Maffei and Bill Owens were among the 219 members of Congress who voted for the health care overhaul bill.
Utica-area representative Mike Arcuri and 33 other Democrats joined Republicans in voting against the bill.
Maffei said he spoke with Arcuri on the issue.
"I respect Mike," said Maffei, "I know that he's for health care reform. He just didn't feel like the senate bill, even with the changes, was the right move. I had very many doubts about the senate bill and without the changes would have opposed it. But with the changes, I supported it, Mike didn't. We have different districts."
Once the bill is signed by the President, Maffei said Central New Yorkers could notice some changes right away.
For example, children can not be denied coverage for pre-existing conditions. Children, until the age of 26, would be able to stay on their parents' plan.
Congressman Owens said this bill makes fiscal sense and that it is an opportunity to provide health care to most uninsured Americans.