The Senate Finance Committee approved its version of health care reform by a 14-9 vote Tuesday afternoon, clearing the way for it to be merged with another committee’s bill for a vote by the full Senate.
Sen. Olympia Snowe of Maine was the only Republican to vote for the legislation. She did so with reservations, however, and said Democrats shouldn’t count on her vote if the bill is changed significantly before it comes to the floor.
“My vote today is my vote today,” Snowe said. “It doesn’t forecast what my vote will be tomorrow.”
The legislation aims to provide health insurance to more Americans by expanding Medicaid, providing tax credits to help low- and middle-income Americans purchase coverage, and creating new health insurance exchanges for individuals and small businesses. It also would require employers that don’t offer coverage to help pay for their employees’ government-subsidized coverage.
The bill also includes insurance market reforms. Individuals could not be charged more or denied coverage because of pre-existing conditions. Insurers could no longer drop coverage when individuals get sick.
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