The U.S. House of Representatives approved Washington Rep. Jim McDermott’s health care reform bill on Saturday, which recognizes gay unions and makes health care more affordable for gay families.

The bill, called the Affordable Health Care for America Act, extends Medicaid to cover more families who otherwise would not qualify due to “moderate” income, and reduces the taxes that are paid by gay couples.

The bill must still be passed by the Senate and signed by President Obama.

“Collectively, unmarried couples lose $178 million per year to additional taxes,” the report says. “U.S. employers also pay a total of $57 million per year in additional payroll taxes because of this unequal tax treatment.”

“I meet people all the time who are gratified they work for companies that offer domestic partner benefits,” Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign, said. “But they pass on the benefits because they cannot afford the taxes that go with the benefits.”