Bloomberg News

“Dec. 21 (Bloomberg) — Legislation calling for the most sweeping overhaul of the U.S. health-care system in more than four decades survived a crucial test vote, allowing it to move toward final Senate passage later this week. (Emphasis added)

“All 60 members of the Democratic caucus voted to curtail debate on the $871 billion measure against united opposition from Senate Republicans, who say the bill would raise taxes, hurt insurers and widen the federal deficit. Democrats scheduled the 1 a.m. vote to thwart Republican tactics aimed at preventing final passage before Christmas.

“Barring surprise defections, the vote clears the way for passage by Dec. 24. The Senate must then draft a compromise with the House, which approved its own bill on Nov. 7. Both measures are designed to cover tens of millions of uninsured Americans and attempt to curb rising medical expenditures.”

Source: Bloomberg News, December 21, 2009