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/8429345.stm

The article has changed 18 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 10 Version 11
US Senate passes key health bill US Senate passes key health bill
(20 minutes later)
US senators have passed the final Senate version of a historic healthcare reform bill.US senators have passed the final Senate version of a historic healthcare reform bill.
The bill aims to cover 31m uninsured Americans and could lead to the biggest change in US healthcare in decades.The bill aims to cover 31m uninsured Americans and could lead to the biggest change in US healthcare in decades.
The bill's passage is a major boost to President Barack Obama, who has made reform a priority. He rejects claims that compromise has left it weakened.The bill's passage is a major boost to President Barack Obama, who has made reform a priority. He rejects claims that compromise has left it weakened.
However, it must still be reconciled with more expansive legislation passed by the House of Representatives.However, it must still be reconciled with more expansive legislation passed by the House of Representatives.
The Senate bill was adopted by 60 votes to 39, with senators voting along party lines.The Senate bill was adopted by 60 votes to 39, with senators voting along party lines.
BILLS: KEY DIFFERENCES Public option: House yes, Senate noAbortion: House bill has stricter restrictions on federal fundingHow to pay for reform: House relies heavily on income tax increase for high-earning Americans; Senate bill taxes high-cost health insurance plans Healthcare bills compared Send us your comments BILLS: KEY DIFFERENCES Public option: House yes, Senate noAbortion: House bill has stricter restrictions on federal fundingHow to pay for reform: House relies heavily on income tax increase for high-earning Americans; Senate bill taxes high-cost health insurance plans Healthcare bills compared Send us your comments class="" href="/2/hi/americas/8160058.stm">Q&A: US healthcare reform class="" href="/2/hi/health/8426663.stm">US and Europe compared
Fifty-eight Democrats and two independents backed the legislation, while Republicans voted unanimously against it.Fifty-eight Democrats and two independents backed the legislation, while Republicans voted unanimously against it.
Speaking before the vote, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said: "This morning isn't the end of the process, it's merely the beginning. "This is a victory for the American people," Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is quoted by Reuters as saying after the vote.
"We'll continue to build on this success to improve our health system even more. Top Republican Senator Mitch McConnell responded: "The fight is long from over.
"But that process cannot begin unless we start today... There may not be a next time." "My colleagues and I will work to stop this bill from becoming law."
The bill's passage follows months of political wrangling and 24 days of debate in the Senate chamber. The bill's passage in an early morning vote on Christmas Eve follows months of political wrangling and 24 days of debate in the Senate chamber.
Opposition Republicans say it is expensive, authoritarian and a threat to civil liberties. Opposition Republicans say the legislation is expensive, authoritarian and a threat to civil liberties and accuse the Democrats of rushing it through.
Delaying tactics
Healthcare reform has been the key domestic policy of Mr Obama's administration but finalising the details of the proposed bills has been a lengthy and complex process.Healthcare reform has been the key domestic policy of Mr Obama's administration but finalising the details of the proposed bills has been a lengthy and complex process.
href="/2/hi/americas/8160058.stm">Q&A: US healthcare reform class="" href="/2/hi/health/8426663.stm">US and Europe compared MARDELL'S AMERICA I suspect it is all over bar the shouting, but there will be an awful lot of shouting before we're done Mark Mardell, BBC North America editor href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/markmardell/2009/12/all_over_bar_a_lot_of_shouting.html">Read Mark's thoughts in full
On Wednesday, the bill passed the last of three procedural votes in the Senate, with Democrats collecting the 60 votes needed to bring an end to Republican delaying tactics and vote on the final bill.On Wednesday, the bill passed the last of three procedural votes in the Senate, with Democrats collecting the 60 votes needed to bring an end to Republican delaying tactics and vote on the final bill.
The process of reconciling the Senate's legislation with the House bill is expected to begin in mid-January. The process of reconciling the Senate's legislation with the House bill - passed in November - is expected to begin in mid-January.
Under the Senate bill, most Americans would have to have health insurance.Under the Senate bill, most Americans would have to have health insurance.
Private insurers would be banned from refusing to provide insurance because applicants had pre-existing medical conditions.Private insurers would be banned from refusing to provide insurance because applicants had pre-existing medical conditions.
The House version still includes a public option and also differs on how to pay for the reform.The House version still includes a public option and also differs on how to pay for the reform.
The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office estimates that efficiency savings made as a result of the Senate healthcare reform bill will cut the federal deficit by $132bn (£83bn) over 10 years, but critics say the predicted savings may never materialise.
-