Senate Health Bill Details Emerging: $849 Billion Over 10 Years, Expands Coverage

By Mary Agnes Carey
KHN Staff Writer

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., hopes to file an health care bill tonight with a cost of $849 billion over 10 years. A senior leadership aide said that Reid could hold a vote Saturday to take the legislation to the Senate floor.

According to a preliminary analysis from the Congressional Budget Office, the measure would reduce the federal deficit by $127 billion over the next decade and by as much as $650 billion over the second 10 years.

More than 94 percent of eligible Americans would be covered by the measure, which would reduce the number of uninsured Americans by 31 million, the aide said.

Reid is meeting with Senate Democrats at 5 p.m. to detail the bill. More details are expected at a 6:30 news conference.

The aide said “Everyone will have plenty of time to read this bill before they vote on it,” and added that Reid is hopeful he will have the votes needed to begin debate on the bill.

Category: Healthcare Reform