Senate to Debate $848 Billion Health-Care Overhaul

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Bloomberg—Democrats united to bring a sweeping health-care plan to the U.S. Senate floor in a party-line vote that kept Republicans from blocking debate on President Barack Obama's top domestic initiative.

Majority Leader Harry Reid won over two holdouts in his party hours before last night's 60-39 vote, ending questions about whether Democrats could stick together to clear the first hurdle to passage. The $848 billion, 10-year plan would make the biggest changes to the U.S. health-care system since the Medicare insurance program for the elderly was created in 1965.

"Our plan saves lives, saves money and saves Medicare," Reid told reporters after the vote. While acknowledging challenges in the coming weeks, he said, "We can see the finish line" and predicted the bill will pass the Senate.

Republican George Voinovich of Ohio didn't vote. Every Senate Republican opposes the legislation, so Reid can't afford any defections from his 60-member caucus when the Senate begins debate after the Thanksgiving recess. Reid aims for a final vote by the end of the year.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said in a statement the vote "brings us one step closer to ending insurance company abuses, reining in spiraling health-care costs, providing stability and security to those with health insurance, and extending quality health coverage to those who lack it."

31 Million Uninsured

The legislation is intended to cover 31 million uninsured people and curb medical costs. Like a bill passed Nov. 7 by the U.S. House, the Senate plan would require all Americans to get health coverage. It would set up online insurance-purchasing exchanges and provide subsidies for those who can't afford to buy coverage.

Senators Mary Landrieu of Louisiana and Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas, the last two Democrats to agree to allow the start of debate, are among those in the party who say big changes must be made to get their vote for the final bill.

"My vote to move forward on this important debate should in no way be construed by the supporters of this current framework as an indication of how I might vote as this debate comes to an end," Landrieu said. "Much more work needs to be done."

Explode the Deficit

Republicans predicted the measure will explode the U.S. budget deficit, cause rationing of health care and fail to produce the cost savings that are a chief goal. Republican leaders say the plan's true cost is about $2.5 trillion over a decade.