First Senate Hurdle

“The US Senate has narrowly voted to hold a full debate on a landmark bill designed to overhaul the country’s healthcare,” reports the BBC. “All 58 Democrats, plus two independent senators, approved it. All but one of 40 Republican senators voted against. Two Democratic senators whose support had been in doubt earlier said they would back the package, a key election pledge of President Barack Obama. The White House said Mr Obama was “gratified” by the result. A full Senate debate on healthcare reform will now begin on 30 November. The House of Representatives narrowly passed its own version of the reforms earlier this month. The legislation – designed to secure coverage for millions of uninsured Americans – could lead to the biggest changes in US healthcare in decades, if approved.”