House passes debt-ceiling bill

The House of Representatives passed, 269 to 161, a deal to lift the federal government's borrowing authority by about $2.1 trillion and to cut federal spending by a similar amount over the next 10 years. The vote comes two days before the government is expected to reach the limit of its current borrowing authority.

The Senate is expected to consider the measure Tuesday.

The deal would require about $900 billion in cuts ove 10 years and create a 12-member bipartisan congressional panel to suggest by Nov. 23 another roughly $1.5 trillion in cuts over 10 years.

A growing number of provider advocates raised concerns as the details of the deal emerged Monday that the new panel will target Medicare provider payments and add to a growing number of measures reducing their funding under the federal program.

The Obama administration released a statement of strong support shortly before passage of the bill.