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I don't understand this: Why is so much hue & cry about Obama's healthcare bill passing in the House?


What kind of politics is this?
As Obama has enough numbers in the House, what is the big deal in getting a bill passed, which was, after all, his prime election agenda? I read that some Democrats voted against it. Does the Democratic Party's inner-party procedures or guidelines not require the members to vote in support of their President's bill?

Why not in the past?
The bill offers medical coverage to some 32 million Americans (more than 10% of the total population) that are hitherto with no insurance or access to healthcare. If a bill could bring in such a mega benefit to such a vast number of the poor, why was it not possible for any President (both Democrats & Republicans) to get it cleared for the past 70 years?

Why did Republicans behave the way they did, now?
Now that the benefits of this bill is widely publicized, how come the Republicans afford to oppose it? Aren't they afraid of losing the votes of at least the 32 million that benefit out of this bill? They can't be so ignorant of the vote bank, can they?

Was the US healthcare so harsh, till then?
Pre-existing condition is not a reason for denying one insurance in Japan. If an applicant cannot buy an insurance because of a diagnosed illness, as apparently was the practice in the US till now, where will a 'common stupid man' go ? Had the US healthcare been so harsh to the poor, so far?

The new bill also imposes on the employer (having 50 or more employees) to offer insurance to employees. In Japan, for the unemployed, the Govt offers an insurance which is linked to one's income. Did US not have one so far?

The media hails this bill as 'historic' and identifies its passing as a major success for Obama. I'm trying to understand why both the parties left this untapped in all these years!