The Senate late Saturday voted along party lines, 60-39, to begin debate on a sweeping healthcare reform bill—one of the broadest in size and scope since the legislation that created Medicare in 1965.
Within a 48-hour time span, Democratic leaders corralled a trio of the party's holdouts to clinch the first victory in a legislative process that is likely to be as lengthy as it will be cantankerous.
But Democrats took a post-vote victory lap even though they acknowledge the tough fight ahead.
"A long road lies ahead of us, but we've begun that journey," said Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.), who helped steer reform legislation through the Senate's health committee. "One thing is certain, we ought to have a right to decent healthcare. And that's what we're attempting to do with this bill. And that's what we're attempting to do for the very first time in the history of this country."
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said that he had spoken to Victoria Kennedy, the widow of the late Sen. Edward Kennedy who passed away earlier this year, right after the vote. Kennedy was seen by all members of Congress as being a driving force behind health reform for decades.
"I'll remember the call always," a visibly touched Reid said. "She, of course, was crying pretty hard. And we both said Ted would be happy."
Two senators, Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas and Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, committed to advance the bill only hours before the vote. In dramatic floor speeches, each of them said that there are still major components of the bill that they oppose, yet nevertheless wanted to work during the debate-and-amendment process to tailor the bill.
“Although I don't agree with everything in this bill, I have concluded that I believe it is more important that we begin this debate to improve our nation's healthcare system for all Americans rather than just simply drop the issue and walk away,” said Lincoln, who is in a tough re-election battle. “That is not what people sent us here to do.”
On Friday, Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska said that he would vote with his party to overcome a Republican-led effort to block the bill.
The rare Saturday vote allowed Democrats to overcome a defensive tactic that Republicans put into play to stall or kill the bill. Only the absence of Sen. George Voinovich (R-Ohio) kept the GOP from mustering all of its votes against the bill.
Next, the bill moves to the Senate floor where members from both parties are expected to offer scores of amendments.
Majority Leader Reid, who earlier this week delivered the 2,079-page bill after melding two packages approved by separate Senate committees, said this first vote was crucial to fixing the fractured U.S. healthcare system.
“Americans deserve a debate on healthcare reform,” he said.
The 10-year, $848 billion bill aims to greatly restructure the health insurance sector, creating a national public health plan and cooperatives to help cover 94% of legal U.S. citizens. Individuals, families and businesses will have the option to buy coverage in a newly created marketplace called an “exchange.”
Additionally, the bill includes a number of delivery system reforms, which taken together will change how hospitals, physicians and a host of other providers practice and get paid.
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