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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Democrats secure key health vote | Democrats secure key health vote |
| (about 14 hours later) | |
| Democrats in the US Senate say they have secured the vote of a key holdout senator and will now have the 60 needed to pass sweeping healthcare reforms. | Democrats in the US Senate say they have secured the vote of a key holdout senator and will now have the 60 needed to pass sweeping healthcare reforms. |
| Senator Ben Nelson had been concerned that federal money would be used to fund abortions. | Senator Ben Nelson had been concerned that federal money would be used to fund abortions. |
| But after a day of talks on Friday Democrats said they had agreed phrasing that would secure his vote. | But after a day of talks on Friday Democrats said they had agreed phrasing that would secure his vote. |
| President Barack Obama described the compromise as "a major step forward for the American people". | President Barack Obama described the compromise as "a major step forward for the American people". |
| "After a nearly century-long struggle we are on the cusp of making healthcare reform a reality in the United States of America," Mr Obama added. | "After a nearly century-long struggle we are on the cusp of making healthcare reform a reality in the United States of America," Mr Obama added. |
| If the Senate passes its version, it must be reconciled with a House version before it can become law. | If the Senate passes its version, it must be reconciled with a House version before it can become law. |
| Insurance market | Insurance market |
| Democratic Senator Charles Schumer said there had been 13 hours of talks on Friday but that Sen Nelson was now "in agreement". | Democratic Senator Charles Schumer said there had been 13 hours of talks on Friday but that Sen Nelson was now "in agreement". |
| Now - for the first time - there is a clear majority in the Senate that's willing to stand up to the insurance lobby and embrace lasting health insurance reforms that have eluded us for generations. President Barack Obama Q&A: US healthcare reform | Now - for the first time - there is a clear majority in the Senate that's willing to stand up to the insurance lobby and embrace lasting health insurance reforms that have eluded us for generations. President Barack Obama Q&A: US healthcare reform |
| Sixty votes are needed to bypass a lengthy debate, or filibuster, in the Senate. | |
| Votes could begin in the Senate in the early hours of Monday with final passage possible by Christmas Eve. | Votes could begin in the Senate in the early hours of Monday with final passage possible by Christmas Eve. |
| President Obama has set the issue as a key plank of his first term and wants the Senate to pass the bill by year's end. | President Obama has set the issue as a key plank of his first term and wants the Senate to pass the bill by year's end. |
| Republicans fiercely oppose the reforms and have tried to delay passage as long as possible. | Republicans fiercely oppose the reforms and have tried to delay passage as long as possible. |
| In his weekend address, Mr Obama said: "Now - for the first time - there is a clear majority in the Senate that's willing to stand up to the insurance lobby and embrace lasting health insurance reforms that have eluded us for generations." | In his weekend address, Mr Obama said: "Now - for the first time - there is a clear majority in the Senate that's willing to stand up to the insurance lobby and embrace lasting health insurance reforms that have eluded us for generations." |
| The legislation - designed to secure coverage for millions of uninsured Americans - could lead to the biggest changes in US healthcare in decades, if approved. | The legislation - designed to secure coverage for millions of uninsured Americans - could lead to the biggest changes in US healthcare in decades, if approved. |
| 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 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. |
| 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. |