Yes they are.

elect african americans to congress

Unfortunately, President William Clinton's efforts to establish universal health care were thwarted largely by the Republican members of Congress. They were determined to keep his health initiative from happening.

Well the bill that currently passed is not universal health care. However there are some aspects of it that will start right away and some will not start until 2014. (Such as the mandate and student grants)

Universal health care could be the next step following this bill and it would start when congress passed it.

My opinion: I'm torn on this. Government is rather inefficient, but universal access is a laudable goal. If Congress can get a decent bill (not this one) going, I would be into it.