WASHINGTON (AP) _ An early showdown over health care reform is
expected on the Senate floor by week's end now that Majority Leader
Harry Reid has unveiled the Democrats' bill.
Republicans vow a protracted struggle to block the legislation and
deny the president a victory that would cap a tumultuous first year
in office.
The Democrat's $849 billion measure is designed to remake the
nation's health care system, relying on cuts in future Medicare
spending to cover costs _ as well as on higher payroll taxes for the
well-to-do. There's also a new levy on elective cosmetic surgery. The
bill would extend coverage to most Americans and bar denial due to
pre-existing conditions.
Republican leader Sen. Mitch McConnell says Americans know that
higher premiums, tax increases and more government do not add up to
reform.
