Senate passes historic health care bill

Описание: (24 Dec 2009) HEADLINE: Senate passes health care plan with historic vote
CAPTION: Senate Democrats passed a landmark health care bill in a climactic Christmas Eve vote that could define President Barack Obama''s legacy and usher in near-universal medical coverage for the first time in the country's history. (Dec. 24)
[Notes:ANCHOR VOICE]
On its first Christmas Eve vote since 1895, the Senate has capped weeks of contentious debate by passing a landmark health care reform bill
SOT: Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont. 7:42:45 Dems post-vote newser
"Today, we make history."
(FILE people at doctor or waiting in ER)
the vote was 60-39 on a bill that would provide near universal medical coverage for the first time in the nation''s history..extending it to the estimated 30 million Americans who don''t have it
SOT: Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn. 7:43:30 Dems post-vote newser
"On this Christmas Eve, I can''t think of a better gift that the United States Senate could give to our fellow citizens."
(Obama walking to podium)
and a gift for President Barack Obama -- a win on his top domestic priority just before his Hawaiian holiday
SOT: President Barack Obama 8:50:29
"If passed, this will be the most important piece of social legislation since Social Security passed in the 1930s."
(any file of insurance company exteriors or people filling out paperwork
the president says insurance companies will now be held to the toughest standards yet, and will no longer be able to deny coverage or charge higher premiums for pre-existing conditions.
(XXXXXXXX)
the bill''s 10 year price tag -- nearly a trillion dollars, and the vote came on party lines...with Republicans continuing to hammer a bill they say Democrats KNOW doesn''t do the job
SOT: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. 6:54:45 floor debate
"Otherwise, Democratic leaders would not have had to have votes in the middle of the night, or the crack of dawn, or over the weekend, or even during a blizzard."
STANDUP:
The task now -- reconciling the Senate bill with what the HOUSE passed last month. There are some significant differences, over issues like abortion...but Democrats say they''ve come too far -- and too close to the long-awaited goal -- to fail now.
SM, The AP, Capitol Hill

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