Senate Passes Health Reconciliation Bill
The count was 56 to 43 to tweak the large health reform bill signed by President Obama on Tuesday. Because the proposal was moving via the reconciliation process, the Democrats needed just a simple majority to pass the measure.
Minor changes to the reconciliation bill in the Senate mean that the proposal now moves to the House, where Democratic leaders could pass it as early as tonight.
The bill would then move to the White House, where Obama will sign it into law.
Update: Three Democrats joined every Republican in opposing the measure: Ben Nelson (Neb.), Blanche Lincoln (Ark.) and Mark Pryor (Ark.).
