Obama hails House committee vote on health care

President Barack Obama is hailing a House committee vote on health care overhaul legislation as a "historic step."

President Barack Obama is hailing a House committee vote on health care overhaul legislation as a "historic step."

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Obama says the Friday night vote by the House Energy and Commerce Committee moves the country closer to major health insurance changes than it has ever been before. He says the bill will strengthen consumer protections and choice, reduce costs and improve care. In a statement Saturday, the president urged lawmakers to "build upon the historic consensus" and do the hard work he says is necessary to protect the future of the U.S. economy and the health of its people.

The full House could vote on the legislation as early as September, after it returns from a summer break.