USA Today
By John Fritze, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON — President Obama praised Senate leaders Tuesday who approved an $829 billion health care bill advancing his vision to reshape the insurance system further than any other such bill has in more than a generation.
Calling it a critical milestone, Obama said “we are now closer than ever before to passing health reform. Now’s the time to dig in and work even harder to get this done.”
The Senate Finance Committee, led by Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., voted 14-9 to approve the proposal, which would expand insurance coverage to 29 million uninsured Americans while reducing budget deficits by $81 billion over 10 years.
Obama singled out Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, who broke with her own party to support the bill — a decision that could have wide implications as Democrats seek the 60 votes needed to clear the next hurdle: a vote by the full Senate.
Obama thanked Snowe for her “political courage and seriousness of purpose she’s demonstrated throughout this process.”
Earlier when Snowe said she would vote for the bill, she said “when history calls, history calls,” adding that she may change her position depending on how the bill evolves. “I happen to think the consequences of inaction dictate the urgency of Congress.”
All other Republicans on the committee voted against the bill, which is the product of months of bipartisan talks. All Democrats supported the legislation, including Sen. Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia and Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, who had not previously stated their support.
“Ours is a balanced package,” Baucus said. “This is now the time to get this done.” more …
Nevertheless the House wrapped up its legislative business without passing the bill, so it won’t become law this year.