This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/8372210.stm

The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 11 Version 12
US Senate approves health debate US Senate approves health debate
(30 minutes later)
The US Senate has narrowly voted to hold a full debate on a landmark bill designed to overhaul the country's healthcare provision. The US Senate has narrowly voted to hold a full debate on a landmark bill designed to overhaul the country's healthcare.
The move was passed 60 votes to 39, after Democrats earlier confirmed they had secured enough votes. All 58 Democrats, plus two independent senators, approved it. All but one of 40 Republican senators voted against.
Two Democratic senators whose support had been in doubt said they would back the move, which was a key election pledge of President Barack Obama. Two Democratic senators whose support had been in doubt earlier said they would back the package, a key election pledge of President Barack Obama.
All but one of the Senate's 40 Republicans voted against it. The White House said Mr Obama was "gratified" by the result.
Mr Obama has prioritised the reform, which is designed to secure coverage for millions of uninsured Americans. A full Senate debate on healthcare reform will now begin on 30 November.
The White House said the president was "gratified" by the result of Saturday's "historic vote". The House of Representatives narrowly passed its own version of the reforms earlier this month.
The legislation - designed to secure coverage for millions of uninsured Americans - could lead to the biggest changes in US healthcare in decades, if approved.
NEXT STEPS 30 Nov - Senators return from Thanksgiving recess to debate and propose amendments to the billAt least three weeks later - Senators vote on final billIf passed, conference committee set up to reconcile Senate and House billsBoth chambers vote on final versionIf passed, President Obama signs bill into law Q&A: US healthcare reform The US health system 'headache' US healthcare: Who wants what?NEXT STEPS 30 Nov - Senators return from Thanksgiving recess to debate and propose amendments to the billAt least three weeks later - Senators vote on final billIf passed, conference committee set up to reconcile Senate and House billsBoth chambers vote on final versionIf passed, President Obama signs bill into law Q&A: US healthcare reform The US health system 'headache' US healthcare: Who wants what?
Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid's proposed $849bn (£508bn) bill would extend coverage to another 31 million people, or 94% of eligible citizens, he said on Friday. Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid says his $849bn (£508bn) bill would extend coverage to another 31 million people, or 94% of eligible citizens.
The legislation, which was outlined in a 2,074-page document, is said by Democratic aides to reduce deficits by $127bn (£76bn) over a decade and by as much as $650bn (£389bn) in the 10 years after that.The legislation, which was outlined in a 2,074-page document, is said by Democratic aides to reduce deficits by $127bn (£76bn) over a decade and by as much as $650bn (£389bn) in the 10 years after that.
But it has been criticised by Republicans as being too expensive. They say they will block it, and debate is expected to be fiery.But it has been criticised by Republicans as being too expensive. They say they will block it, and debate is expected to be fiery.
Mr Reid opened Saturday's session by presenting highlights of the plan and as the opening arguments drew to a close, he criticised the Republican tactics. Fewer than 60 votes for the initial measure would have left the bill vulnerable to Republican delaying tactics.
"Imagine if, instead of debating whether to abolish slavery, instead of debating whether giving women and minorities the right to vote, those who disagreed had muted discussion and killed any vote," he said.
Anything less than 60 votes for the initial measure would have left the bill vulnerable to Republican delaying tactics.
'Deep reservations'
Efforts to get it passed had focused on three centrist Democrats - Ben Nelson of Nebraska, Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas and Mary Landrieu of Louisiana - who expressed doubts about the bill.Efforts to get it passed had focused on three centrist Democrats - Ben Nelson of Nebraska, Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas and Mary Landrieu of Louisiana - who expressed doubts about the bill.
Sen Nelson said on Friday he would back the procedural vote, but Senators Lincoln and Landrieu only declared themselves hours before it was due to take place. 'Deep reservations'
Sen Nelson said on Friday he would back the procedural vote, but Senators Lincoln and Landrieu declared themselves available only hours before it was due to take place.
Sen Lincoln said that it was important to start debating the issue and that Saturday's vote would "mark the beginning of consideration of this bill by the US Senate, not the end".Sen Lincoln said that it was important to start debating the issue and that Saturday's vote would "mark the beginning of consideration of this bill by the US Senate, not the end".
More than 46m people in the US have no health insurance
Senator Landrieu said: "It is clear to me that doing nothing is not an option."Senator Landrieu said: "It is clear to me that doing nothing is not an option."
All three continue to have deep reservations about the bill itself.All three continue to have deep reservations about the bill itself.
The House of Representatives narrowly passed its own version of the reforms earlier this month. Under the Senate bill, most Americans would have to have health insurance, while private insurers would be banned from refusing to provide insurance because applicants had pre-existing medical conditions.
Under the bill, most Americans would have to have health insurance, while private insurers would be banned from refusing to provide insurance because applicants had pre-existing medical conditions.
Insurance would be made more affordable with subsidies available to help those in lower income bands, the Democrats say.Insurance would be made more affordable with subsidies available to help those in lower income bands, the Democrats say.
People would also be able to take part in new insurance market places and be able to choose to buy government-sold insurance from 2014, a provision intended to help regulate the prices charged by private companies.People would also be able to take part in new insurance market places and be able to choose to buy government-sold insurance from 2014, a provision intended to help regulate the prices charged by private companies.
Large companies would be required by law to provide coverage to staff. The costs would be covered by government cuts on future Medicare spending.Large companies would be required by law to provide coverage to staff. The costs would be covered by government cuts on future Medicare spending.
If the Senate eventually passes its bill, it must then be reconciled with the House of Representatives bill and voted on again before the programme can become law.If the Senate eventually passes its bill, it must then be reconciled with the House of Representatives bill and voted on again before the programme can become law.
Mr Reid's bill differs to the House bill in that he calls for an increase of a half percentage point in Medicare payroll tax for people with an income of over $200,000 (£119,779) per annum - rising to $250,000 (£149,724) for couples.Mr Reid's bill differs to the House bill in that he calls for an increase of a half percentage point in Medicare payroll tax for people with an income of over $200,000 (£119,779) per annum - rising to $250,000 (£149,724) for couples.
There is also a tax on high-value insurance policies that is not contained in the House version of the bill.There is also a tax on high-value insurance policies that is not contained in the House version of the bill.
If approved, the legislation could lead to the biggest changes in American healthcare in decades.