Breaking News: Health Care Overhaul passes Senate Finance Committee

Breaking News: Health-Care Overhaul Passes Key Hurdle in Senate.

Senate Finance Committee approves the $829 billion, 10-year health-care bill sponsored by Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) with the support of a lone Republican, Maine Sen. Olympia Snowe.

story below by Washington Post

photo of Senator Olympia J Snowe (Me.) by AP

written by Lori Montgomery and Shailagh Murray

A key Senate committee easily approved a sweeping overhaul of the nation's health-care system Tuesday afternoon, clearing the way for President Obama's top domestic initiative to advance to a historic debate before the full Senate.

The Senate Finance Committee vote in favor of the bill was 14 to 9.

Republican Sen. Olympia J. Snowe of Maine broke with her party and joined all 13 Democrats on the committee in voting for the package, which would spend $829 billion over the next decade to make health insurance affordable for millions of Americans who would otherwise go without coverage, according to congressional budget analysts.

In a speech from the dais, Snowe said the measure does not address all her concerns. In particular, she said she is worried that the package would force people to buy insurance that remains beyond their means. But with the cost of insurance premiums skyrocketing, she said, the likely consequences of inaction are far more troubling.

"Is this bill all that I would want? Far from it," Snowe said. "But when history calls, history calls."

She added: "There are many miles to go in this legislative journey. . . . People do have concerns about what we will do with reform. But at the same time, they want us to continue working. And that is what my vote to report this bill out of committee represents."

Snowe said she could withdraw her support if Senate leaders make significant changes in the coming days as they merge the Finance Committee package with a similar measure approved in July by the Senate health committee.

HEALTH CARE BILL VOTED ON INCLUDES """NO PUBLIC OPTION!!!"""

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/13/AR2009101300998.html?hpid=topnews