UW-Eau Claire senior Sydney Dun recently turned 24 years old, and is no longer covered by her dad’s health insurance plan.

She said she doesn’t get sick often, but does wear glasses and likes to take good care of her teeth, as well.

Because she went off health insurance so recently, she said life hasn’t changed too much yet.

But, she said, “I am more careful, and I’m concerned about it. I can’t even go to the doctor if I get the flu.”

After months of debate and fiery town hall meetings, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a health reform bill 220-215 Saturday night.

Bob Allen – a spokesman for the American Federation of State, Country and Municipal Employee (AFSCME); an advocacy organization for working families – said a public option has the potential to benefit everyone, not just those without coverage.

Allen said the U.S. spends more on health care than any other industrialized country. He said providing health care for employees is an impediment for hiring.

“It’s a tremendous drag on the economy,” he said.

Thirty-five thousand people in Wisconsin’s third district would be covered if health care reform passed, according to an AFSCME Wisconsin report.

Rep. Tammy Baldwin, Dist. 2, Rep. Ron Kind, Dist. 3, Rep. Gwen Moore, Dist. 4, Rep. David Obey, Dist. 7 and Rep. Steve Kagen, Dist. 8 voted in favor of the House bill, according to an AFSCME report.

Rep. Paul Ryan, Dist. 1, Rep. James Sensenbrenner, Dist. 5, Rep. Tom Petri, Dist. 6 voted against the bill, according to the same report.

Freshman Joshua Thibodeau, who has health care under his parents’ plan, said he thinks, in general, reform is a good thing.

He skateboards and snowboards with friends who are not covered, and said they are somewhat cautious in their sport because they are afraid of medical bills associated with injuries.

Thibodeau said he doesn’t think everyone would need to have the government’s health plan, but, speaking about his friends, said “someone helping with medical bills would make their life a lot easier.”

The reforms the Democratic Party are pushing are not necessarily things Republicans are opposed to, said Bobby Hamill, chairman of the College Republicans.

He said Republicans want to make health care more affordable and accessible, but not by putting it in the government’s hands.

Ultimately, Hamill said he’d rather keep his money and be able to make his own decisions about what health care plan is best for him.

“This is something we’re definitely going to be watching,” he said.

Allen said his daughter is a recent college graduate, and so he can relate to young people going without coverage. He said the employers are discouraged about covering employees because of the large costs associated with health care.

“If we can get a more sane and cost effective way of providing health care, that is going to help create jobs and create opportunities,” Allen said.

Hamill said it’s important to look at the long-term effects of health care reform, and its total cost.

“What are we going to pay for it, and is it ultimately worth it?” he said. “In the end, I think it’s not.”