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| US Senate panel backs health bill | |
| (11 minutes later) | |
| The US Senate health committee has approved a bill to reform America's healthcare system, becoming the first congressional committee to pass a plan. | The US Senate health committee has approved a bill to reform America's healthcare system, becoming the first congressional committee to pass a plan. |
| The legislation would expand coverage to nearly all Americans, at a cost of some $600bn (£365bn). | The legislation would expand coverage to nearly all Americans, at a cost of some $600bn (£365bn). |
| US President Barack Obama, who is to speak on healthcare later on Wednesday, has said he wants Congress to pass a healthcare bill by the end of 2009. | US President Barack Obama, who is to speak on healthcare later on Wednesday, has said he wants Congress to pass a healthcare bill by the end of 2009. |
| Four other congressional committees are also working on reform bills. | Four other congressional committees are also working on reform bills. |
| Party line vote | Party line vote |
| Three House of Representatives committees announced a joint proposal on Tuesday, and will begin voting on it on Thursday. | Three House of Representatives committees announced a joint proposal on Tuesday, and will begin voting on it on Thursday. |
| The Senate Finance Committee is also expected to vote on its bill soon. | The Senate Finance Committee is also expected to vote on its bill soon. |
| Eventually, a combined bill will be put before both chambers for approval. | Eventually, a combined bill will be put before both chambers for approval. |
| The Senate health committee voted along party lines, with 13 Democrats in favour and 10 Republicans opposed. | The Senate health committee voted along party lines, with 13 Democrats in favour and 10 Republicans opposed. |
| The bill would expand healthcare by requiring all Americans to take out health insurance, and providing subsidies to poorer families to help them pay for their coverage. | |
| The chairman of the committee, Senator Edward Kennedy, was not present for the vote, because he is being treated for brain cancer. | The chairman of the committee, Senator Edward Kennedy, was not present for the vote, because he is being treated for brain cancer. |
| Democrat Chris Dodd is acting as committee chairman in his absence. | Democrat Chris Dodd is acting as committee chairman in his absence. |
| "This time we've produced legislation that by and large I think the American people want," he said. | |
| President Obama also welcomed the vote and urged other congressional committees to complete their bills. | |
| "[This] should give us hope, but it should not give us pause. It should instead provide the urgency for the House and Senate to finish their critical work on health reform before the August recess." |