The Healthcare Reform bill cleared a hurdle in the House of Representatives.

The house bill passed by a slim five vote margin.

North Dakota Representative Earl Pomeroy cast a yes vote.

Pomeroy says he did so because he was able to negotiate a deal with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to change the way doctors and hospitals get paid under the public option.

Instead of using Medicare rates...Pomeroy says he was able to convince Speaker Pelosi to use negotiated rates.

Since the vote Representative Pomeroy has come under some scrutiny for not following what North Dakotans want.

(Rep. Earl Pomeroy/ D-ND) "We have a lot of people that are self proclaimed they know what North Dakota wants and I believe that North Dakota wants a health care system that is going to work going forward and if we do no changes we know that costs are going to go up. Those without insurance are not going to get it. Those with medical conditions are going to have a harder time in the future. We had to address this topic."


Pomeroy says the house bill got steadily better from the time he voted against it in the House Ways and Means committee to this weekends vote.

He says the bill will continue to change until the final vote is made. This house bill bans federal money to be used for abortions. watch the video | save this article / add to your favorites list