Washington (CNN) -- Narrow passage of a sweeping health care bill by the House of Representatives portends a continuing difficult fight for President Obama and fellow Democrats to get a bill through the Senate and into law. The House voted 220-215 late Saturday, with 39 Democrats opposed and one Republican in favor, to approve what would be the biggest expansion of health care coverage since Medicare was created more than 40 years ago. The Affordable Health Care for America Act, or H.R. 3962, restricts insurance companies from denying coverage to anyone with a pre-existing condition or charging higher premiums based on gender or medical history. It also provides federal subsidies to those who cannot afford it. And it guarantees coverage for 96 percent of Americans, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.
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House voted 220-215 late Saturday to approve Affordable Health Care for America Act
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39 Democrats opposed act, one Republican voted for it
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Measure now moves to Senate, where support is less certain
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If both chambers pass a bill, committee will merge the two proposals
@placeholder lawmakers stood silently across the floor, some with their arms folded across their chests.