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 5 Version 6
US Senate set for healthcare test Senate healthcare vote 'assured'
(about 2 hours later)
The United States Senate is preparing to hold its first vote on a major bill designed to overhaul US healthcare provision. Democrats in the US Senate say they have now secured the votes they need to begin a full debate on a bill designed to overhaul healthcare provision.
The vote, which requires 60 out of the 100 Senate votes to pass, will decide whether Democrat leader Harry Reid's bill can go forward for debate. Two Democratic senators whose support had been in doubt say they will now back the move, assuring the party the 60 votes needed to pass the measure.
The Democrats need the votes of two independents to make up the 60, as the chamber's 40 Republicans are opposed. The 100-member chamber's 40 Republicans will unanimously vote against it.
US President Barack Obama has made healthcare reform a domestic priority. President Barack Obama has prioritised the reform, designed to secure coverage for millions of uninsured Americans.
Mr Reid's proposed $849bn (£508bn) bill would extend coverage to another 31 million people, or 94% of eligible citizens, he said on Friday. Senate Democrat 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.
The country suffers when there is a failure to act on serious challenges that millions of ordinary Americans face in their daily lives Patrick LeahyVermont DemocratThe country suffers when there is a failure to act on serious challenges that millions of ordinary Americans face in their daily lives Patrick LeahyVermont Democrat
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.
Anything less than 60 votes for the initial measure will leave the bill vulnerable to Republican delaying tactics.Anything less than 60 votes for the initial measure will leave the bill vulnerable to Republican delaying tactics.
Efforts to get it passed have focused on three centrist Democrats - Ben Nelson of Nebraska, Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas and Mary Landrieu of Louisiana - who expressed doubts about the bill. Need for debate
Hours before the vote, all three senators said they will back the move. 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.
Senator Nelson's support has been assured for some time, but Senators Lincoln and Landrieu only declared themselves hours before the vote.
Senator Lincoln said that it was important to start debating the issue. All three continue to have deep reservations about the bill itself.
Correspondents say that if the measure fails at the first hurdle, it might not be the end of the bill but would push it well into next year.Correspondents say that if the measure fails at the first hurdle, it might not be the end of the bill but would push it well into next year.
It would also cast doubt on whether the Democrats will be able to find any genuine consensus on a final bill, they say.It would also cast doubt on whether the Democrats will be able to find any genuine consensus on a final bill, they say.
The House of Representatives narrowly passed its own version of the reforms earlier this month.The House of Representatives narrowly passed its own version of the reforms earlier this month.
Medicare cutsMedicare cuts
Mr Reid opened the session by presenting highlights of the plan. A vote is not expected before 2000 local time (0100 GMT on Sunday).Mr Reid opened the session by presenting highlights of the plan. A vote is not expected before 2000 local time (0100 GMT on Sunday).
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?
Patrick Leahy, a Democrat from Vermont, said it was vital to back the bill.Patrick Leahy, a Democrat from Vermont, said it was vital to back the bill.
"The country suffers when there is a failure to act on serious challenges that millions of ordinary Americans face in their daily lives," he said."The country suffers when there is a failure to act on serious challenges that millions of ordinary Americans face in their daily lives," he said.
But Republican leader Mitch McConnell urged Senators to vote against "this staggering spending programme at a time when many would argue our international bankers, the Chinese, are lecturing us about debt".But Republican leader Mitch McConnell urged Senators to vote against "this staggering spending programme at a time when many would argue our international bankers, the Chinese, are lecturing us about debt".
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.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 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 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.If approved, the legislation could lead to the biggest changes in American healthcare in decades.