Baucus Panel Approves Health Bill

Snowe is only Republican 'yes' vote
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Oct 13, 2009 2:13 PM CDT
Baucus Panel Approves Health Bill
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., second from right, accompanied by the committee's ranking Republican Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, right, bangs the gavel on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009, during the committee's hearing on health care reform.    (Harry Hamburg)

A pivotal Senate committee has approved a sweeping remake of the country's health care system, delivering a long-sought boost to President Obama's goal of expanding coverage. The 14-9 vote in the Senate Finance Committee sets up a historic debate on the Senate floor and moves health care overhaul closer to reality than it has been for decades. Olympia Snowe of Maine was the only Republican to join 13 committee Democrats in voting "yes."

The 10-year, $829-billion plan approved today is aimed at extending coverage to millions more Americans, holding down costs, and improving health care for all. The Finance Committee was the last of five congressional committees to act. It produced a centrist-leaning compromise bill.
(More health care reform stories.)

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