NPR News
December 23, 2009
by Scott Hensley
The Senate is set to pass a landmark health bill early Thursday morning that would bring President Obama and Democrats a step closer to the most sweeping change in the nation’s health system since Medicare was created more than four decades ago.
Despite unflinching Republican opposition and late carping by liberals that compromises to forge a 60-vote bloc went too far, Senate Democrats closed ranks behind legislation that would expand coverage to tens of millions of Americans, restrict the ability of private insurers to deny coverage and eventually trim the nation’s budget deficit.
Senators voted 60-39 Wednesday to end debate on the health bill, clearing the way for the last vote on final passage, now set for 7 a.m. Thursday. Only a majority of 51 votes is needed to pass the bill, which isn’t in doubt.
Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT), chairman of the Finance Committee, declared, “It is now only hours until this Senate will pass meaningful health care reform.” more …
